An agent has revealed why Tottenham winger Lucas Moura failed to finish a big-money transfer to Manchester United again in 2012.
Legendary Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson tried to safe the signing of the Brazilian, who had made a reputation for himself along with his dazzling shows on the London 2012 Olympics. However, agent Wagner Ribeiro has defined why the deal fell via.
Lucas himself has beforehand admitted how shut the transfer was, earlier than he finally joined Spurs in 2018.
And now Ribeiro has admitted that the previous Sao Paulo wonderkid was Old Trafford certain earlier than PSG director Leonardo jumped in to gazump the Red Devils.
He informed UOL: “Everything was wonderful with Manchester United. The Brazilian was going to play in Manchester.
“But Leonardo entered the state of affairs. He known as me and mentioned he was placing collectively a timaço (a terrific crew), with Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Ibrahimovic.
“He requested how a lot United would pay (for Lucas). I mentioned it could be €36 million (£31 million). He mentioned he would pay €45 million (£39 million).
“And how was the remaining of the negotiation? I informed Lucas that Paris was a gorgeous metropolis to stay in. He requested to talk to his father. We received all the pieces proper and I informed Gustavo (Oliveira, Sao Paulo’s director) to fly to Paris.”
Spurs spent £25m to carry Moura to north London in January 2018, with the attacker scoring 32 targets in 151 for Mourinho’s males.
Despite not all the time being a daily within the aspect, Moura has impressed in one other disappointing marketing campaign for Tottenham.
Rio suggestions up contemporary United strike goal
Rio Ferdinand has really useful the best No.9 for Manchester United if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fails to get his palms on Erling Haaland and Harry Kane this summer time.
United are understood to have a brand new striker on the high of their summer time needed checklist. Edinson Cavani has but to determined whether or not he will probably be staying at Old Trafford and Solskjaer is options. Norway striker Haaland is believed to go the checklist for United, however his state of affairs turns into extra difficult by the day.
His agent Mino Raiola has now confirmed that Borussia Dortmund don’t need to promote till subsequent summer time, and he has no drawback with their stance.
Raiola informed Sport1: “I can verify that I used to be in Dortmund for talks.
“Michael Zorc made it clear to us that BVB doesn’t need to promote Erling this summer time. I respect that opinion, however that doesn’t mechanically imply that I additionally agree.
“BVB have been very clear of their views. We are okay with that.”
With Haaland probably out of attain this summer time then United could nicely look to Spurs striker Kane. That deal although can also be out of attain, with Daniel Levy apparently steadfast in his stance that he is not going to promote to a Premier League rival.
Calvert-Lewin has all of it
In which case United should look elsewhere and former United centre-back Ferdinand says Everton ahead Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be a “unbelievable” signing.
“Listen Dominic Calvert-Lewin for me I really like him,” Ferdinand informed the FIVE YouTube channel.
“I’ve watched loads of Everton this 12 months and he’s one which unnerves defenders. He’s not one you need to play in opposition to week in, week out. He’s aggressive, he assaults the ball.
“I used to be chatting with Carlo Ancelloti earlier this 12 months and he talked about Inzaghi and mentioned he didn’t want many possibilities to attain targets and he scores targets in and across the six-yard field.
“I have a look at Calvert-Lewin this season and he’s listened to that, he’s taken that on board. Obviously he appears an actual good scholar of the sport and he’s began placing that into his personal recreation.
“We’ve seen the rewards he’s had he’s received into the England squad by scoring hundreds of targets in and across the six-yard field – scoring these ugly targets.”