Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood is in talks with club sponsors Adidas.
The forward is waiting on United making a final decision over whether he can rejoin the squad after being cleared of assault earlier this year.
He has been suspended on full pay said to be 75,000-a-week since January 2022, and lost a lucrative deal with Nike.
But Greenwood is now in talks with Adidas.
A source said: The initial signals from Adidas are positive. Without their blessing it would be hard to see a way back. But they have communicated his return would not necessarily be an insurmountable obstacle.
They have certainly given the impression they would not be fiercely opposed to it."