Manchester United target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal with Schalke, after the latest round of talks failed to produce a result, while the Red Devils are reportedly targeting Malaga winger Isco, if they fail to sign Lucas Moura.
Huntelaar, who scored 29 league goals in the Bundesliga last season, has just one year remaining on his contract. Talks over a new deal were postponed until after Euro 2012, but the Dutchman's representatives and the German club are yet to come to an agreement.
"Klaas-Jan knows what he has here at Schalke and we know about his quality," Schalke general manager Horst Heldt told Sky Sports News Germany. "His decision depends on his sporting future.
"We had a talk last weekend and we will have another talk in the next few days and make a decision. We can prepare well for the future and we know what we want to achieve in the future.
"Klaas-Jan is a footballer on a high level, but we also have different options."
United have been linked with a move for the prolific striker in the past and Sir Alex Ferguson will be keeping an eye on developments. While Robin Van Persie remains United's first-choice striker target, Ferguson could move for Van Persie's international teammate, if a deal with Arsenal cannot be reached. Title rivals Chelsea have also been linked with a move for the Dutchman.
The Lucas Moura deal is still hanging in the balance, with Paris St Germain reportedly putting in a €45 million (£35.7 million, $55.7 million) bid for the tricky Brazilian winger, and Ferguson might turn his attention to Malaga's Isco, according to the Metro.
Inter Milan confirmed they would not be able to match PSG's latest bid and said they were out of the running. So it remains to be seen if United will be able to persuade Lucas and Sao Paulo to agree to a lower price, if the PSG reports are indeed true, or be ready to put in a more increased bid.
"We would never have gone up to that sum," Inter Milan president, Massimo Moratti, told Sky Sport Italia.
"In any case, there are no regrets that we didn't finish off the move, as the cost was already pretty high a few days ago. The €45m that PSG offered is completely illogical and for us it would've been very out of key with our approach.
"PSG are starting a new era, so they are completely reconstructing the squad. At least I can relish the fact that I'm saving money!"
Isco, regarded as one of Spain's brightest youngsters, reportedly has a £16 million ($25 million) release clause, but could be available for much less due to Malaga's financial problems.
Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher stepped up his return to the playing field and will train with the Scotland team in the upcoming week. Fletcher has been out of the game since November last year, after suffering from ulcerative colitis, a chronic bowel problem.
"Darren will be with us at the weekend, he is back in training and he played 45 minutes in a practice match last week," Scotland manager Craig Levein said.
"He is not in the squad because he has not played for Manchester United but he will come back and do a bit of training with us.
"I have been in touch with him every two or three weeks throughout the summer.
"I don't want to go into the medical side of things but I'm just delighted to say that he is going to do some training with us.
"We will see how he gets on between now and September and I think you'll guess that if he is fit he will be in the team."