Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has refused to rule out the possibility of Luka Jovic leaving the club on loan before the transfer deadline, with Manchester United eyeing a last-ditch move for the striker. Jovic has fallen some way short of expectations after joining Madrid for a fee of €60million (£55m) ahead of the 2019/20 campaign and the 22-year-old is looking for a temporary escape route out of the Bernabeu in order to guarantee regular playing time.

United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to add a centre-forward to his squad for the new campaign and talks have taken place with free agent Edinson Cavani and Jovic over the last few days.

Jovic is said to be seduced by the prospect of a switch to Old Trafford and discussions are progressing well, with a loan agreement appearing to suit all parties and United prepared to pay the attacker’s €8million (£7.3m) salary.