Manchester United transfer news: Southampton to pursue unwanted striker Javier Hernandez after Real Madrid reject permanent deal

Hernandez is currently on loan with Real Madrid but looks set to be sold in the summer

Javier Hernandez could leave Manchester United in the summer (Getty Images)

Javier Hernandez looks set to be on the lookout for a new club as the striker is likely to be sold by Manchester United once his loan spell with Real Madrid expires at the end of the season with the Spanish club unwilling to sign him permanently.

With United manager Louis van Gaal hinting that he will look to offload the Mexico international in the summer, Southampton have emerged as a possible suitor with the Metro reporting that a summer move could be in the pipeline.

Hernandez has only scored four goals for Real this season, although he did net the crucial winner in the recent Champions League quarter-final victory over Atletico Madrid as well as find the target against Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Van Gaal hinted that Hernandez faces the same future as Danny Welbeck, who was offloaded last summer when Arsenal came calling in a £16m deal.

“I gave him a chance and then I said the same thing as I did to Danny Welbeck,” Van Gaal said last week.

“When you are a substitute it’s no good. And I won’t change over that. So if you score a goal you are suddenly different? I don’t think so.”

Hernandez celebrates after scoring against Celta Vigo (Getty Images)

With the 26-year-old set to hit the transfer market in the near future, it’s believed United are looking for around £7.5m for any deal to happen, which falls well inside Southampton’s budget should they wish to pursue a permanent move.