Borussia Dortmund are in talks to bring Shinji Kagawa back to the club, according to reports in Germany.
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Kagawa has reportedly been told by Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal that he does not fit into his new-look side and reports from local Dortmund newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten and Radio 91.2 claim BVB are now negotiating a deal.
The playmaker broke into European football at Dortmund, winning two domestic titles and one DFB-Pokal between 2010 and 2012. Kagawa's first-team opportunities have been rare since moving to Old Trafford, though, and talk of a return has persisted throughout his two years at United.
On Thursday morning, kicker journalist Thomas Hennecke reported that Dortmund could make a move for the Japan international within the next few days.
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc was asked about Kagawa but was coy in his response, saying: "The transfer list is open until Monday... Kagawa is a Manchester United player."
BVB boss Jurgen Klopp also hinted at a potential late move into the transfer market, telling a news conference on Wednesday: "I wouldn't entirely rule that out, but I wouldn't bet on it either. We need to look at who will be out [injured] for how long.
"There are a few important games in the Bundesliga, in the Champions League and in the cup over the next few weeks. We can't just wait until they are all back in eight or nine weeks. That's why we have to think about it, but right now nothing is happening."
Dortmund lost their Bundesliga opener to Bayer Leverkusen and currently have a number of players suffering with injury problems, including a quartet of midfielders.
Nuri Sahin missed preseason due to ongoing knee problems, Sven Bender is still working on his comeback following an inflammation of the pubic joint earlier this year, Ilkay Gundogan has been out for more than 12 months and, last week, a muscle injury sidelined Oliver Kirch for eight weeks.