Manchester United have suffered a setback in their pursuit of RB Leipzig hotshot Christopher Nkunku - with reports claiming that the Bundesliga outfit have slapped a colossal £62.5million price tag on their talisman.
United are in the process of searching for a new permanent manager, but that hasn't stopped the club from tentatively sketching out their summer transfer plans.
And after plundering 22 goals in just 33 games, Nkunku is right at the top of Manchester United's summer shopping list.
With Paul Pogba's long-term future still unclear, recent reports have claimed that United have identified Nkunku as the ideal replacement for the Frenchman.
However, United will have to splash the cash if they are determined to prise the 24-year-old away from Ralf Rangnick's old side.
Join the debate! Where do you think Man Utd need to strengthen in the summer? Let us know here.
According to BILD, via Sport Witness, Leipzig are set to demand in excess of £60m for their conductor-in-chief - a sum that may be too rich for United to take on.
With a new manager set to arrive at Old Trafford in the summer, United are anticipating a busy summer at Old Trafford.
United have desperately needed an elite defensive midfielder for some time now, which is likely to take priority over other positions.
The likes of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips are reportedly top targets in that position, with some reports claiming that Rice could cost United north of £100m.
It remains to be seen if United, even with their financial strength, possess the clout to shell out that sort of money and then also meet Leipzig's excessive demands.
Rangnick was the man who actually signed Nkunku for the German side, and the Paris Saint-Germain alumni has thrived in the Bundesliga since quitting Ligue 1.
As well as his stunning goal tally, Nkunku has racked up a further 12 assists over the course of the season for Leipzig after filling a variety of roles.
The Frenchman has played on both flanks, down the middle as an auxiliary striker and deeper in midfield, but his most effective position is the No 10 role.
Unsurprisingly, Leipzig would loathe to lose their prized asset.
CEO Oliver Mintzlaff describes Nkunku as 'unsellable' in the same report - but Leipzig's stance is set to be tested this summer with a host of top European clubs reportedly tracking the potent playmaker.
Although United had perhaps hoped that Rangnick's connections with the player and Leipzig could help them steal a march on some of Nkunku's other suitors, that doesn't appear to be the case given Leipzig's lavish demands.
Rangnick is due to depart the Old Trafford dugout in the summer to make way for the new manager, with the German poised to transition into a two-year consultancy role.
That could deny him the chance to seal a reunion with Nkunku himself - but he could yet attempt thrash out an agreement for the Leipzig ace in a bid to give United's new chief an early boost.
