An image of Philippe Coutinho in Manchester United colours has been labelled as wishful thinking by fans online.
A crafty picture of the Barcelona playmaker appeared on Instagram and twitter last night as excitement grows that a bid is about to be lodged.
But the mocked-up shot didn't impress many supporters on social media with fans split about the club's interest in the player.
One said: "He would never play for united you must be dreaming."
Another added: "This is disgusting!"
One wrote on Instagram : "Where would he play? I'm not interested to see Martial on the bench," while another put "Too many attacking players. Sign a CB and a full-back and leave Coutinho."
The Brazilian has been linked with Old Trafford this window after a year in Spain which has seen the 26-year-old unable to live up to his pricetag.
Coutinho joined Barca from Liverpool last January for a fee which was set to rise to £142 million.
But he hasn't hit the heights at the Nou Camp - and speculation suggesting he could return to England hasn't gone away.
Liverpool have no interest in a reunion but United haven't commented on the stories.
Barcelona would want in excess of €100 million for the player and United reportedly made contact with Coutinho's agent last week over his availability.
He has fallen behind Ousmane Dembele in coach Ernesto Valverde's Barca pecking order despite the incredible transfer fee.
Mehlmotz
170
Football is funny & crazy game
Abtaheemd
126
Admit it!!
suudeklnp
82
it's just the way of life of foottball player.
Loocipuyz
66
that would not be a bad thing to go for him but also at the same time knowing that we have serious problems at the back. if we at man city squad the talent they have to call upon is amazing even as you saw when Kevin de bruyne was injured mostly the whole first half of the season they had quality players to call upon and fill that gap. imagine having couthino when we have a serious injury to a player like pogba or matic or even not an injury just having another opposition of an attacking player we can call upon him but the same note not turning a blind eye to our defense if we could get a CB and a fullback plus couthino 😱😱 we would be a force to reckon with not body with be able to live with such attacking oppositions even city would have quite a hard time against us !!!