Manchester United are interested in Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore, according to unconfirmed reports from Italy.
Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the Argentina international, after Palermo vice-president Guglielmo Micciche confirmed the 22-year-old could leave Sicily this summer.
"There is no doubt that he should be sold for several reasons," Micciche said. "He wants a big club and negotiations are well advanced with a very important team."
But a move for the highly-rated youngster appears unlikely after Sir Alex Ferguson ruled out making any further signings before United play neighbours City in the Community Shield on 7 August.
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He has already signed Ashley Young, Phil Jones and goalkeeper David de Gea this summer but has failed to identify a midfield replacement for Paul Scholes.
Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric and Arsenal's Samir Nasri are now both highly unlikely to join United, while a move for Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder broke down over the player's wage demands.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday night's match against the MLS All-Stars, Ferguson told reporters: "At this moment, I can't see another addition. The type of player we might have been looking for is not available.
"We lost five players in their 30s this summer.
"That helped finance the three younger players I have brought to the club.
"I am happy with the players I have got at this moment in time."
Dutch international Sneijder has long been billed as the "missing piece" in Ferguson's midfield, even though the Scot said he "had no real interest" in signing the playmaker as a replacement for Scholes.
"Scholes was such a great, consistent player for us. I don't think we will find another Paul Scholes," Ferguson said. "But hopefully we can replace him. Maybe we will find a different type of player. Manchester United do that.
"Time and time again we have faced this problem. But eventually something turns up, either through our youth system or we will identify someone."
