Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to sell Lucas Moura during the January window amid interest from Manchester United.

However, and possibly crucially, PSG are not willing to loan the Brazilian winger as they attempt to generate income following last summer’s spending which included the world-record transfer of Neymar from Barcelona.

Lucas has been identified as a player who can leave and there is understood to be strong interest from United although, as yet, no offer has been made. The 25-year-old came close to joining United in 2012, when the right-sided forward was wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson, before moving to PSG from Sao Paulo.

An alternative target for United, with manager Jose Mourinho pushing hard for a winger to be recruited this month is another Brazilian, Bordeaux’s 20-year-old winger Malcom, who can play on either the left or right.

With PSG having a re-shaped front-line this season of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani then Lucas has seen his opportunities severely limited this season and has made just a handful of substitute appearances.