Manchester United are pulling back from plans to sign Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini in January.

United are ready to wait until the ­summer to move for Pellegrini — after discovering they can trigger a ­£26.5million clause in the midfielder's ­contract, says the Mirror.

They were looking to seal a deal in the looming January window, but are now aware Pellegrini will be available at a bargain price come the end of the season.

Roma have been ­desperately trying to persuade Pellegrini to sign a new deal, so that they can remove the buy-out option.

The midfielder has been capped nine times by Italy and is regarded as one of the Azzurri's hottest prospects.