Brazil left-back Alex Telles determined to join Manchester United but fee yet to be agreed with Porto

Manchester United and Porto are still haggling over a fee for Alex Telles but the Brazil left-back has signalled his determination to move to Old Trafford.

Telles has a €40 million (£36.6m) release clause in his contract but, since the 27 year-old will be free to talk to foreign suitors from January when he will have just six months left on his contract, United are trying to drive the price down.

Porto and United remained apart on their valuation of Telles as of Wednesday night but a deal is likely to progress quickly should a compromise be reached. The Portuguese club are aware of Telles’ desire to move to Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to bolster his squad before the close of the transfer window on Monday week, with Holland midfielder Donny van de Beek, a £34.8m signing from Ajax, his only recruit so far.

Solskjaer believes United need more quality options at full-back and Telles would provide direct competition at left-back for Luke Shaw which would, in turn, free up Brandon Williams to offer cover for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.

United have been embroiled in a tortuous pursuit of Jadon Sancho in recent months but have persistently distanced themselves from the prospect of meeting Borussia Dortmund’s £108m valuation of the England winger.

It remains to be seen if United make a late attempt to strike a deal for Solskjaer’s priority summer target before the close of the window or bring in an alternative, but the manager is eager to sign a right-sided forward who can offer pace, width, creativity and a goal threat.

While United negotiate with Porto over the Telles fee, the Manchester club are involved in similarly tough discussions with Roma over the prospective sale of Chris Smalling.

Roma had an opening bid of around £12m dismissed out of hand by United but, while they are expected to return with an improved offer this week, it remains to be seen if they meet United’s demands for around £20m for the England defender. Smalling impressed on loan at Roma last season and is keen to return to the Italian club.

Solskjaer has been under no illusions that United need to offload defenders before bringing in another centre-half. Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are surplus to requirements but their huge wages have made them difficult to offload.

United are also open to offers for goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who has fallen to third in the pecking order behind David De Gea and Dean Henderson, but the club’s demands for a substantial fee on top of his £90,000-a-week wages have been a deterrent for a number of interested parties.

Andreas Pereira, Jesse Lingard and Diogo Dalot are others facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford.