Real Madrid Transfer News: Javier Hernandez Fee Blocking Manchester United Deal

Real Madrid are keen to tie up the services of Javier Hernandez on a permanent deal, but they are unwilling to pay Manchester United's £17 million asking price, according to reports.

Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express reports that Carlo Ancelotti is willing to drop "around £12 million" to secure his on-loan striker. Hernandez failed to hold down a regular starting place under Sir Alex Ferguson or David Moyes at Old Trafford before being allowed to leave on a temporary basis by Louis van Gaal.

Having earned the reputation of being a "super sub" since joining United in 2010, Hernandez's attributes look to have settled well in La Liga. The 26-year-old has scored three goals in one start and a trio of substitute appearances, per WhoScored.com.

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His lack of physicality isn't as noticeable in the Spanish division, where he recently netted a tremendous brace during Madrid's 8-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

Like the United managers before him, it's difficult to see where Van Gaal will fit Hernandez in. Radamel Falcao continues to gain fitness since joining on a loan deal from Monaco and has the quality to knock any of United's squad away from the starting picture.

Hernandez could be moved on to allow United to capture the Colombian permanently. It was perhaps telling that Hernandez and Danny Welbeck—two players who could have offered United so much more across the last couple of seasons—were allowed to leave when Falcao arrived.

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Mark Ogden of The Telegraph suggests Falcao earns £265,000 per week before United pay his full tax bill, signalling why the Premier League club need to raise funds by letting others go.

Ancelotti recently praised Hernandez, Nacho Fernandez and Alvaro Medran—rotational starters during the win over Levante—suggesting he could become a valued member of the squad.

"They all showed we have a very competitive squad," said Ancelotti, per ESPN. "Players who had played less through the first part of the season played well, they are motivated and comfortable with the team's style."

Alex Harris of the Daily Star suggests Juventus could be interested in the player, although his "hefty pay packet" and the fact he has two years remaining on his contract may make the deal too expensive.

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It would be hugely intriguing to see Chicharito start the majority of games in a season, but it just doesn't look like this will happen at Madrid or United. Both sides possess world-class strikers who offer a greater physical threat than Hernandez.

It is his repeated anonymity and ability to get suffocated out of matches that frustrated United fans, helping Van Gaal move him on. Whether he will ever be able to displace Karim Benzema as Madrid's physical spearhead appears highly unlikely, especially if the Frenchman continues to dominate like he did during the midweek win over Liverpool.

Madrid would match United's asking price if Hernandez was destined to become a key starter. Current evidence suggests he isn't, and that he is more likely to continue repeating his bench-warming act at the Bernabeu.

This could stop United receiving a full fee and may force Van Gaal into waiting it out for an alternative bid.