Report: Manchester United pursuing last-minute Eriksen deal

Manchester United are hoping to sign Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen for a cut-rate fee before Thursday's transfer deadline, according to The Telegraph's James Ducker.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would reportedly prefer to send Eriksen overseas, but despite reported interested from Real Madrid and Juventus, no bids materialized over the summer.

Mindful of the fact that Eriksen's contract expires next summer, United are trying to convince Levy that a deal would suit both parties.

When the 27-year-old Eriksen admitted in June that he wanted to "try something new," Spurs informed Premier League clubs that he would cost £130 million. However, the asking price would have to come down significantly for United to do business.

Ducker believes Spurs are braced for lowball bids of £50 million and under once the Premier League's transfer window closes. Teams in the English top flight still have the right to sell players after the deadline but can't sign any replacements.

United are clearly on the lookout for a midfielder, with Sporting CP's Bruno Fernandes and Real Betis' Giovani Lo Celso reportedly on their radar. A swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku and Juventus' Paulo Dybala also apparently collapsed on the weekend due to the Argentine's excessive wage demands.