Manchester United have reportedly made a $48 million offer for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas to bolster the English football champions' stocks for the upcoming Premier League season.
Sky Sports News television, the BBC and the domestic Press Association news agency all say United are interested in signing the Spanish international, who came through Barcelona's youth academy before joining Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2003.
Sky says a potential stumbling block could be a clause in Fabregas' contract that Arsenal have first refusal should he decide to leave the Spanish champions.
Barcelona won't comment, but if completed, the Fabregas move would represent new manager David Moyes' first major signing since the former Everton boss succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson during the off-season.
United are on a pre-season tour of Asia and Australia and on Saturday will play the A-League All Stars side including All Whites midfielder Michael McGlinchey and Wellington Phoenix striker Paul Ifill in Sydney.
