Former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton chief Paul Mitchell is reportedly high on the list of targets as Manchester United step up their search for a new director of football.
The Red Devils will create the new position to help with their long-term transfer strategy following five years of scattergun spending.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is leading the search, with the full blessing of frustrated boss Jose Mourinho, and The Telegraph suggests that United are closing in on their man.
Mitchell is highly regarded in the game thanks to his work alongside Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton and Spurs, but he left White Hart Lane in 2016 and has since been appointed by RB Leipzig in a similar capacity,
The 37-year-old would have to serve a notice period at Leipzig, but United are said to be confident of enticing him back to the Premier League.