Manchester United pulled out of the race for Darwin Nunez after deciding against being held to a bidding war with Liverpool, Sportsmail can reveal.
Nunez is expected to complete an £85million switch from Benfica to the Reds, signing a six-year deal in the process, on Tuesday - in what will be a club-record buy for the Anfield outfit.
Manchester United were in the running for the Uruguayan striker too but withdrew interest after deeming the asking price as too high, rather than being rejected by the 22-year-old.
Sportsmail can detail that they were invited into a bidding auction by the player's agents but declined to engage - therefore making the club not an option for the player.
United have moved on to other targets with Ajax winger Antony and Derby County's Malcolm Ebiowei at the forefront.
Ebiowei, 18, has four teams clamouring for his signature with Tottenham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace also keen.
Ebiowei's emergence was one of the bright spots of Derby's season which ended with relegation to League One following their brave fight to beat the drop after being hit with a 21-point deduction.
But his short-term deal expires next month and Ebiowei, who has played for England and Holland at youth level, is set to leave the Pride Park club.
Like Ebiowei, Antony is an inverted right winger. The Ajax star knows new United boss Erik ten Hag very well following their two seasons together at the Dutch giants.
According to Goal Brasil, the player's representatives have flown to Europe to try and speed up a potential deal with the player believed to keen on a move to England to link up with his former boss.