Manchester United are set to sign £30m-rated Ander Herrera from La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.
The Premier League club failed to buy the Spanish midfielder, 24, on transfer deadline day last summer.
But new United boss Louis van Gaal has revived the deal, which could be completed as early as Tuesday.
Herrera, part of Spain's Olympic squad at London 2012, would become Van Gaal's first signing since the Dutchman replaced David Moyes as boss in June.
Until the arrival of Marouane Fellaini from Everton last summer, United had not signed a central midfield player for six years.
However, with the Belgian failing to score a single goal last season and Ryan Giggs deciding to retire to become Van Gaal's assistant, United appear keen to strengthen.
United encountered problems trying to sign Herrera almost a year ago, namely when three imposters turned up at La Liga headquarters in an attempt push through the transfer without the knowledge of either club.
In the end, Herrera remained at Bilbao.
United are set to pay about £30m for Herrera, whose transfer fee was due to rise on 30 June under the terms of his contract.
With Antonio Valencia and Patrice Evra both signing contract extensions, Van Gaal is already starting to put his mark on the squad, even though he is currently manager of the Netherlands.
As yet, there has been no fresh bid for Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, who was the subject of a big-money offer from United prior to England's dismal World Cup campaign.
In the meantime, a fee has reportedly been agreed between United and Dynamo Moscow for left-back Alexander Buttner, with some minor contractual issues to be sorted out.
United are due to tour the United States later this month before opening their Premier League campaign against Swansea on 16 August.
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