Andreas Pereira 's transfer to Flamengo is in danger of collapsing, an outcome that would see Manchester United lose millions.
The Red Devils had hoped to offload Pereira on a permanent basis after agreeing a fee with the Brazilian club, but a U-turn has thrown the deal into jeopardy.
Officials at Flamengo are now pushing to stop the transfer from happening all together, with the midfielder's recent poor form while on loan not helping his case.
According to reports from Brazil, via Sport Witness, 'important people on the red and black board are working behind the scenes' to prevent the agreement being finalised.
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Although United and Paulo Sousa 's side have reached a 'verbal agreement', president Rodolfo Landim is being persuaded to give up on the signing and address more pressing positions with their limited funds.
Pereira's contract at Old Trafford expiries in less than 18 months, putting his native Flamengo off paying £8.7million for his signature.
The Rio de Janeiro giants already wrangled his asking price down during the January transfer window after an option to buy for more than double (£16.6m) was inserted into his season-long loan deal back in August.
The permanent transfer was expected to be announced after their Super Cup clash with Atletico Mineiro on Sunday, but it appears the 26-year-old's future remains undecided.
Pereira, who was loaned out by the Red Devils to Lazio last term, has made no secret of his intention to make his temporary stay in Rio a permanent one and publicly confirmed his stance in December.
"My desire has always been to stay here at Flamengo, and now we are going to do everything," the United academy graduate told ESPN Brasil. "We are going to talk to president Landim and [vice president] Marcos Braz to make this possible.
"Of course, I have a feeling that I owe the fans a title. As I told them, you can count on me, I'll do my best so that next year we can come out with those titles there."
His last competitive appearance for the Red Devils came at the end of the 2019-20 season, when he emerged as a trusted and industrious midfield presence under former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Pereira has been able show his quality back in his homeland, helping Flamengo reach the Copa Libertadores final last year.
But he made a costly error in extra-time to hand Palmeiras, who were recently beaten by Chelsea in the Club World Cup final, the converted South American title.
