Bastian Schweinsteiger could be offered a route out of Manchester United by Santos.
According to a report in The Mirror bringing the German to Brazil has been discussed by Santos boss Dorvial Junior.
The Brazilian game has traditionally been an exporter of players but Santos, the club of Pele, are believed to be looking at ways to reverse that trend and bring in a big name European player.
Speaking to The Mirror Junior explained: “I told them (the Santos board)that we should try to get a big name in world football, or at least send an invitation.
“It was just a recommendation, it won’t hurt us to try. We didn’t only speak about Schweinsteiger but other players too.
“A player like that can obviously lift the level of the team, but he has to come with an objective and an appetite.”
Schweinsteiger has been frozen out of Manchester United since the arrival of Jose Mourinho despite arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2015 with a £15m price tag.
Injuries restricted the former Bayern Munich midfielder to just 13 Premier League starts last season under Lois van Gaal.
Schweinsteiger is only halfway through a three year contract and has indictated that he is prepared to see out his contract although United are keen to cut their losses and arrange a pay off for the 32-year-old to leave in January.