Sandro
Sandro has emerged as a target for Napoli after Fellaini became injured Getty

Sandro has emerged as a target for Napoli after Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini was left on crutches following an ankle injury.

Fellaini had been in discussions with the Naples club over a loan move but negotiations had hit a stumbling block over how much the club would pay United in compensation.

The Belgian midfielder had been touted to leave United as Louis van Gaal looks to build a squad capable of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League.

Napoli had been keen on the 26-year-old as a replacement for Valon Behrami, who moved from the Serie A club to Bundesliga outfit Hamburg.

The economics of the deal also suited Napoli - owner Aurelio De Laurentiis wants to tighten the purse strings at the Italian club - with United prepared to pay his £3.2m wages, plus any bonuses he earned at the Italian club.

However, the move may now be off altogether after Fellaini picked up an ankle injury during training this week and was spotted hobbling on crutches.

According to reports in Italy, the Italian's attention has now turned to Tottenham's Sandro.

The 25-year-old fell out of favour under previous manager Tim Sherwood, with Sherwood going as far as saying the Brazilian "was not good enough", despite Sandro saying he was fit and able to play.

He has since been omitted from the Spurs squad under new manager Mauricio Pochettino and did not even make it to the substitutes' bench for their 1-0 defeat of West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday.

A reunion with former boss Andre Villas-Boas at Zenit Saint Petersburg has been mooted and now Napoli have entered the fray to sign him.