Manchester United have been linked with signing ‘the next Brazilian star’. Of course they have.
‘Lucas Moura eyes Manchester United switch’ – claimed the Daily Mail yesterday.
The only problem is, he said nothing of the sort. The Mail’s story features plenty of quotes from Lucas, but not one mention of United.
‘You never know what can happen. I don’t have a crazy desire to leave but, when the time comes, I will speak with my family and decide what is best for my future.
‘When I go on the internet I see Inter, Real Madrid and I don’t know who else, wanting to come for me with a truck load of money.
‘Of course I think about it, but I can’t let it go to my head. I’m very calm and down to earth about it. My job is to play football so that these clubs continue to be interested.’
Lucas, if you are reading, let us know if we are wrong here, but speculation linking you with United is just that, speculation.
The midfielder is just 19, an attacking midfielder who already has 15 full international caps. The Mirror last week set the transfer train in motion by suggesting United had sent a ‘delegation’ to Brazil to try to convince him to sign.
It’s no secret that United need midfield recruits, evidenced by the club’s SOS to the retired Paul Scholes in January.
We’re sure Lucas would add a lot to United’s side, but his high price makes him a real gamble. For any youngster jumping leagues, let alone continents, with such expectation, comes with a real danger of not being able to live up to the hype. The teenager is still unproven at the top level, is that what United need?
More importantly, is he a player the club want to blow almost their entire transfer budget on? When Sir Alex Ferguson likes a player, he goes for it, as he showed with Wayne Rooney in 2004. But even then Rooney was a different proposition, he was used to the league, and had shown his talent at Euro 2004. It was clear he would have little problem adjusting.
The more you read into the Mail’s article, the more it becomes apparent that United are at best fourth or fifth choice in the race for Lucas. It describes Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Real Madrid as being better placed to seal a deal, with Chelsea and Madrid especially having the financial clout that the Red Devils do not.
Chelsea supposedly had a £32 million offer rejected in January, displaying the sort of crazy money being talked about for the midfielder, and the financial security Sao Paolo have to be able to reject that.
The links appear to be all talk and little substance, and United will be reminded of two Brazilian midfielders they signed, who failed to adjust with any consistency at least, to the club. Kleberson was a big disappointment, and Anderson – still at the club, is being linked away with United unimpressed with his progress.
Anderson’s troubles, Lucas’ extortionate price tag, his young age, the lack of any facts with regards to United, plus the fact he plans to play in this year’s OIympics – and said he won’t decide his future until after that – means at this point, United fans should not get too excited about him signing on.
We may be wrong, but right now it looks like a long shot, and we’ll believe it when we see it.
image: © jonnyr1
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