Manchester United are getting serious about prising Kai Havertz away from Bayer Leverkusen.

BILD says Liverpool and Barcelona are also admirers of the Germany international, but it is the Old Trafford club showing the strongest conviction.

United are currently at the front of the queue and Leverkusen are hoping for £81million for the 20-year-old.

Havertz scored 17 times last season and is one of the most exciting young talents to emerge from Germany in recent years.

United are interested but also have an eye on other creative options, namely Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) and James Maddison (Leicester City).

Bayern Munich also hold an interest in Havertz but accept that they lack the financial clout of some of their big European rivals.