Manchester United are set to allow Matteo Darmian to leave in January.
The Times says Jose Mourinho has been so impressed by the rise of Timothy Fosu-Mensah that he is prepared to give him the opportunity to fight it out for a spot in his starting XI.
The former Chelsea boss is believed to see the 18-year-old as an extremely exciting prospect - placing him in the same category as fellow Red Devils starlet Marcus Rashford.
Mourinho's stance apparently means Darmian is regarded as surplus to requirements in Manchester.
The former Torino ace is not without suitors in his homeland though.
Inter Milan have been credited with interest in securing his services.