Inter Milan are ready to intensify their pursuit of Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, according to fresh reports in the Italian media.
Tutto Mercato Web claims the pint-sized Mexico international has been identified as a forward who possesses the kind of skills which would provide an effective foil for hitmen Mauro Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio.
The San Siro giants’ long-running pursuit of Manchester City’s Stevan Jovetic has so far yielded no positive results and little encouragement from the Blues, causing Inter to turn their attention to the red half of the city.
Hernandez has reached a crossroads in his career after seeing his progress stall to an alarming extent, and the Red Devils are unlikely to stand in his way if they receive an acceptable offer.
The 26-year-old could struggle to make a significant leap from last season’s status of fourth-choice striker, given new manager Louis van Gaal’s close working relationship with Robin van Persie.
The two men worked together at international level with Holland, who finished third in this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
There have been concerns about Hernandez’s fall from grace at the club for some time, as he has never managed to replicate the superb form he produced in his first season in English football.
The 2010-11 campaign saw him net 20 times, with the forward forming a devastating partnership with England talisman Wayne Rooney.
However, injuries and a loss of form, combined with a seemingly crippling drop in confidence led to a prolonged period on the substitutes’ bench.
He now finds himself behind Rooney, van Persie and Danny Welbeck in the battle for a starting berth and has even lost his place in the Mexico side.
Hernandez has two years remaining on his contract.