Manchester United are monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Willian Pacho ahead of a potential summer swoop, according to German outlet Bild.
The Red Devils have watched the Ecuadorian several times in recent months and are expected to launch a move for him.
However, Man United are not the only club keen on Pacho, with Real Madrid and Napoli also admirers of the 22-year-old.
Their Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the Frankfurt star and have regularly scouted him too.
Man United are unlikely to complete any signing during the remaining hours of the January transfer window, but a major squad overhaul is on the cards in the summer, with changes expected in the centre-back department.
The likes of Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane could be on their way at the end of the season as they are both in the final five months of their contracts, while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have struggled with their fitness in recent months.
The Red Devils have been linked with a couple of centre-backs so far, and Pacho has also emerged as an option.
While he moved to the Bundesliga club from Royal Antwerp for €9 million last summer, it is believed Eintracht will demand a fee of around €60m should suitors come calling next summer as his contract does not expire until 2028 and he has no exit clause.
Pacho will see his salary automatically increase by around €150,000 if he remains with the German club next season having played the required number of games needed to activate that option in his contract.
Talks between the club’s Sporting Director Markus Krosche and the player’s entourage are planned for the next international break to discuss the summer, and Man United will need to move quickly to have any chance of pipping others to his services.