Reports in Italy claims that Manchester United are considering a move for Portugal international Joao Mario in January and are prepared to let playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan leave the club in order to make a deal happen.
Italian publication 'Corriere dello Sport' reports that the Armenian is on his way out of Old Trafford after falling out of favour under boss Jose Mourinho.
Despite starting the season with five assists in three Premier League games, the 28-year-old has been left out of United's matchday squad in five of their last six games, with Mourinho being forced to field questions about the former Borussia Dortmund man's absence following the win over Bournemouth on Wednesday.
That has led to suggestions that the 28-year-old's days in Manchester are numbered, with the Italian press claiming that Mourinho would fill the space in his squad with compatriot Joao Mario.
The Portugal international joined Inter Milan for a fee of around £40m last summer and it is thought a similar offer could see him leave the 'Nerazzurri'.
The 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks, starting just four games all season for Inter, though still managing to contribute an impressive five assists in 11 games from midfield.
United are on the look out for reinforcements in the middle of the park with Marouane Fellaini like to leave the club on a free at the end of the season and Michael Carrick closing in on retirement and Mario is thought to have been identified at the ideal man for the job by United scouts.