Manchester United have launched a bid for Sao Paulo’s attacking midfielder Lucas Moura.

 

Sources in Brazil have confirmed that representatives of the English club are in the South American country and have submitted an offer of some €33M for the highly-rated 19-year-old.

 

Manchester United officials are now waiting patiently for a response from Sao Paulo, but the Red Devils are likely to face renewed competition from Italian giants Inter, while the amount is also likely to be deemed insufficient.

 

The Nerazzurri have been in talks with Lucas’ agent and father, but have so far refused to budge above the €25M mark for the Brazilian starlet.

 

However, with Manchester United having upped the ante, Inter are expected to send representatives of their own to Brazil to negotiate directly with Sao Paulo, who hold 80% of the player’s economic rights.

 

Indeed, this could prove to be the sticking point, with the Tricolor wanting to realise at least €30M from their 80% to even consider selling, something which would place the asking price on Lucas’ head at a minimum of €37.5M.

 

Lucas is currently preparing for the 2012 London Olympic Games, where he has been included in Mano Menezes’ squad.

 

Sao Paulo are still hopeful of keeping Lucas at present and are bidding to increase the player’s salary and extend his contract.

 

Manchester United’s firm move though turns up the heat on the Tricolor and will force a tough decision to be made in the club’s corridors of power.

 

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