Manchester United are prepared to wait until the summer to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.
The Manchester Evening News says Hummels remains United's top target but a move next summer is more likely than over the next 10 days.
United boss Louis Van Gaal has continued to suggest he will only invest this month if a player is available who is better than those he has on the payroll.
United have not bought a first-choice defender in the January transfer market since 2007 when Nemanja Vidic was an unknown capture from Spartak Moscow.