Louis van Gaal has admitted that Barcelona winger Pedro has the qualities Manchester United need as he signalled that he is stepping up his interest in the World Cup winner.
The Manchester United manager, who has also ruled out selling Mexico striker Javier Hernandez, is looking to bolster his forward line after selling Angel Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain.
And Pedro, who has a £22 million release clause in his contract with the Champions League winners, is a target.
"It is a process," said Van Gaal in a news conference: "When he has signed I come to you and say: 'Hey, Pedro is here.' That is not the case and we shall wait and see."
Van Gaal has spoken of a wish to acquire more attack-minded players with the speed and creativity Di Maria possesses and it was suggested to him that the 28-year-old fits the bill.
"I hear, and Pedro is a player like that," he replied. "So write it!"
Pedro came off the bench to score the winner in the 5-4 European Super Cup triumph over Sevilla, his 99th Barcelona goal.
But the La Liga winners' manager Luis Enrique said Pedro wants to leave the Nou Camp because he is not getting enough first-team football.
In contrast, Van Gaal said that United striker Hernandez is willing to stay at Old Trafford after being informed that he will be Wayne Rooney's deputy this season.
"Otherwise he wouldn't be here," Van Gaal said. Asked if he had any interest in selling the 27-year-old, he said: "No."
Hernandez spent last season on loan at Real Madrid and was generally used as a substitute in his previous two campaigns at Old Trafford.
And Van Gaal explained that he is likely to be on the bench again unless skipper Rooney plays in a deeper role.
"Our aim is to play with Rooney in the striker's position," he said. "We have chosen for him, and Chicharito to be the substitute but he can also play because Rooney can also play No. 10.
"So he has a chance to play in the striker's position, but normally Rooney shall play because we have confidence that he can score more than 20 goals there. That is more than last year, of the strikers."
Hernandez attracted interest from Major League Soccer's Orlando City and was a reported target for Tottenham and West Ham.