Everton Ribeiro
Everton Ribeiro [Reuters] Reuters

The agent of Manchester United target and Cruzeiro star Everton Ribeiro has revealed that an approach from an unnamed Premier League club has been turned down by the Brazilian outfit.

The 24-year-old has been a transfer target for the Premier League champions after Ribeiro admitted that he would reject a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in order to seal a move to Old Trafford in January.

However, the player's agent Robson Ferreira confirmed that an unnamed English outfit made a bid of €10m in signing the midfielder, which has been rejected by Cruzeiro. Ribeiro's representative was unwilling to reveal the name of the Premier League side as he does not intend to disrupt the negotiations.

Ferreira claims his client is keen on featuring in the Libertadores with Cruzeiro and is looking to continue with his current employers.

"We've taken a bid of €10m (£8.3m) for Everton Ribeiro to Cruzeiro. The interested club is kept secret so as to not disturb or disrupt negotiations, after all they are in the middle of their season," Ferreira explained.

"We took the proposal to Cruzeiro, we talked and arranged a new meeting for the next few days. The club want him to stay and the player also wants to help Cruzeiro in the Libertadores. We are trying to unite all interests," Ribeiro's agent added.

Meanwhile, Cruzeiro's director of football Alexandre Mattos has echoed Ribeiro's agent's comments. The Brazilian club are keen to retain their star player after the midfielder helped his side to win the Brasileiro league title and was awarded the Brazilian Player of the Year.

Mattos also confirmed the bid has been rejected by Cruzeiro from an English outfit.

"Everton was one of the players that came to Cruzeiro with potential and, together with his team-mates, turned that into reality," Mattos explained.

"He won individual awards. He is happy, but there is no offer that makes the president change his stance. Yesterday one more arrived from an English club to which Cruzeiro said 'no' immediately."

"It could be that an offer arrives that Cruzeiro understands would be irresponsible not to accept. The important thing is knowing to get a suitable replacement. When something happens either way, we will have a replacement identified," he concluded.

David Moyes is keen on bringing in new faces to Old Trafford as the former Everton manager is looking to bolster United's squad in the mid-season transfer window.

David moyes