BORUSSIA DORTMUND have reportedly stepped up their interest in former star Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The Manchester United outcast has been strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford this month, with Inter Milan keen on a swap deal involving Joao Mario.

Mkhitaryan has fallen out of Jose Mourinho’s first-team plans after some poor performances earlier in the season.

And RuhrNachrichten.de claims he could now be heading back to the Signal Iduna Park for a second spell.

Mkhitaryan spent three seasons there and scoring 23 goals during his final campaign.

The Armenia international remains a popular figure amongst fans, and Dortmund chiefs are now said to be exploring ways to facilitate a move.

But Mkhitaryan is one of United’s top earners and Dortmund know they can’t afford his estimated £11million annual salary.

United are also sure to demand a large portion of the £30m they paid for the 28-year-old in 2016.

And Dortmund would need the Red Devils to accept a much lower fee before convincing Mkhitaryan to lower his wage demands drastically.

Despite the problems, the Germans would apparently very much like to bring their former favourite back, and the report adds they will now “intensify” their pursuit in order to secure a deal before the end of the month.