Manchester United could be set to re-ignite their interest in Atletico Madrid playmaker Koke.
According to The Daily Star, the Premier League champions have been interested in the Spaniard for months and are expected to swoop once again for his signature during the next transfer window.
However, the same reports suggest that Manchester United - who signed fellow Spanish international Juan Mata last month - see the player as an answer to their problems in midfield but view his supposed £50 million fee as too much to pay.
22-year-old Koke, a product of Atletico's impressive youth system, has made quite a name for himself already at the Vicente Calderon.
In 22 La Liga appearances for Diego Simeone's side this season, the player has notched four goals and laid on nine assist for his teammates as Atletico have mounted a serious bid for domestic glory.
Manchester United, meanwhile, whose rather embarrassing 2-2 draw with rock-bottom Fulham at Old Trafford was followed up by a rather insipid goalless tie against Arsenal on Wednesday evening, have endured a very difficult 2013/14 season.
A very indifferent run of form under the tutelage of David Moyes - who replaced the iconic figure of Sir Alex Ferguson during the summer - has seen Manchester United fall well out of the race to successfully defend their 20th top-flight title.
As it stands, the Red Devils are seventh in the Premier League, 15 points adrift of leaders Chelsea and nine points behind old rivals Liverpool
Manchester United have struggled in midfield so far this season, with the club clearly crying out for a player of real quality to sit in a slightly deeper role and dictate the pace of a game.
It appears that Koke is still a preferred target, although it appears that they could face competition from Chelsea to get their man.
