Manchester United chiefs are already exploring a permanent deal for Marcel Sabitzer.
The January loan signing from Bayern Munich arrived without a permanent option.
However, ESPN says United are by no means planning Sabitzer solely as a stopgap for the second half of the season.
He was signed as a replacement for the injured Christian Eriksen, with Sabitzer primarily taking on the role of the Danish playmaker.
Nevertheless, the club's top brass see Sabitzer as an outright transfer prospect just a fortnight into the deal.