Manchester United may need to replace Paul Pogba in the close season if the Frenchman decides to move away from Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of this season.
Given there are a number of positions that need strengthening this summer, it stands to reason that United will look to replace Pogba with a player that provides value for money; a quality player who they won't have to pay over the odds for, which rules out the likes of Youri Tielemans, who is likely to leave Leicester in the summer but will likely command a hefty fee despite his own contract running down.
So who could United choose to work alongside creator-in-chief Bruno Fernandes and the club's prospective new defensive midfielder?
Fabian is reportedly available for a cut-price fee from Napoli, with the Spaniard's contract expiring in 2023 and he would offer security in possession and a good range of passing but what if United want to try a different approach?
Renato Sanches was a target for United under Jose Mourinho, before he moved to Bayern Munich. In Germany, he struggled and his travails continued when he moved to Swansea City. His star at that stage had fallen significantly.
However, after a move to LOSC Lille, he seems to have revitalised his career and now seems destined to make the step up to a bigger team. Like Jesse Lingard at United, it just seems the Portuguese starlet needed time to settle and grow as a player.
And against Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night, he showed a lot of the qualities that any potential buyer would be seeking if they were to make a move for the Portuguese despite his side, unfortunately, failing to win the game.
Whenever Lille needed an outlet to pass to, Sanches was there. The teamsheet had him down as a right-winger but he was all over the pitch, using his energy to give the French side a numerical advantage in midfield.
When he received the ball, he either distributed it to a player in space or drove forward towards Chelsea with it, putting the Premier League side on the back foot constantly throughout the game and his change of pace in transition with the ball was noticeable throughout.
United have had a problem with movement in midfield as well as being able to control the tempo of matches on a regular basis and Sanches would allow them to do both if they decided to finally bring the Portuguese midfielder to Old Trafford to replace Pogba and link up with with his compatriot Fernandes.
Calcio Mercato have previously reported that Sanches is likeliest to join AC Milan in the summer but nothing has been formally agreed yet and if United want to give their midfield some much-needed energy in the summer on a budget, then they should rival the Italian club for his signing. If there is a potential drawback to the 24-year-old, it's his questionable fitness record and having not been able to count on Pogba for large spells of this season, United will want to be certain of any potential replacement's capacity to play consistently.
There are a number of other targets United could pursue in a similar mould. But having proven against Premier League opposition on Europe's grandest stage what he is all about, Sanches should at least be a name under consideration ahead of a vital summer for the club.
Who do you think should replace Paul Pogba in the summer if he does leave United? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comments section below.
