Lazio in talks to sign Andreas Pereira on season-long loan from Manchester United

Lazio are in talks to sign the Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

At the same time it is hoped that United will this week finalise a deal to sign left-back Alex Telles from Porto. Talks are on-going and it is expected there will be a resolution in the next few days as to whether the 27-year-old will sign.

Telles is pushing hard for the move and has, again, reminded Porto that he is out-of-contract at the end of this season and therefore they should accept a lower bid.

Pereira, meanwhile, has not played for United since the Europa League tie against LASK Linz in early August and has been told he can leave.

The 24-year-old is wanted by the Serie A side after not featuring in the match-day squad for United in either of their first two Premier League games or even the Carabao Cup tie away to Championship club, Luton Town.

Pereira’s chances of playing regularly for United have been further reduced by the signing of Donny van de Beek from Ajax for £39million and there is pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to reduce the size of his squad.

United are open to the idea of selling Pereira but it is understood they are demanding a sell-on clause in his contract should he make a permanent move to Lazio. This may affect the level of fee that Lazio will offer.

Pereira came through the academy at United and had loan spells in Spain with Granada and Valencia before making 40 appearances last season.

Born in Belgium, Pereira has opted to play for Brazil – where his father was born – and made his debut in 2018 but has not gone on to earn any further senior caps.

United will attempt to move on further fringe players before the transfer window closes next month with Chris Smalling desperate to secure a move to Roma – although, so far, United have not received an acceptable bid. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero and Diogo Dalot are also likely to leave while United are desperate to sell Marcos Rojo.