Sporting Lisbon have opened talks with Manchester United over a loan deal for Nani.

The Guardian says Sporting have initiated talks with United about re-signing Nani on an extended loan spell or arranging a player-plus-cash exchange involving their captain, the attacking midfielder Joao Moutinho.

A delegation led by the Sporting vice-president, Ribeiro Teles, is understood to have visited Manchester on Tuesday, hoping to capitalise on a disappointing season for Nani in which he started only seven Premier League games.

However, the 22-year-old favours a move to Italy and has expressed misgivings about returning to the club that sold him for around £16m two years ago.

A straight cash deal has been ruled out because of Sporting's financial restraints.