Cruzeiro forward Alisson reiterates Manchester United and Juventus affection as he targets Europe

Cruzeiro forward Alisson has repeated his desire to play for Manchester United, although insists that a move to Italy also holds considerable appeal. The 22-year-old, who previously spent time on loan at Vasco da Gama, has been capped by Brazil at youth level and was included alongside the likes of Andreas Pereira, Rafinha and Felipe Anderson in a recent Selecao U23 squad for friendlies against South Africa and Nigeria on home soil.

Although he did not score, Alisson featured in both games and will be hopeful of representing his country again when the men's 2016 Olympic football tournament begins at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia Mane Garrincha on 4 August. Beyond that, he appears eager to seal a switch to Europe in the near future, having reasserted his admiration for both United and reigning Serie A champions Juventus.

"It is true," he told Goal.com. "I have a very special affection for the two clubs But as I said, today I'm more quiet-headed, more focused and clear, I have the dream of playing in Italy, if not in Juventus for another team like Inter and Lazio, and also dream of playing in England, which has a very cool and competitive football [league]. In my opinion, the Premier League is the best league in the world, so I would love to play there or Italy."

Alisson made similar comments in September 2015, when he first stated his fondness for those aforementioned clubs, but also admitted that a move to another team in Europe was not out of the question.

"I think Juventus are a great team, I really admire Manchester United," he said. "I'd like to play for one of these clubs, but I'm a professional, so if you were to get some other European team with a good offer to refuse. But Juventus and Manchester United are really great."

Both United and Juventus look set to explore the market for attacking additions this summer, although it seems likely that they will be targeting more established players. The Premier League giants already boast one of English football's most promising young strikers in academy graduate Marcus Rashford, who burst onto the first-team scene in February with back-to-back braces against FC Midtjylland and Arsenal before notching the winner in a Manchester derby triumph at the Etihad Stadium last month.

The Bianconeri's forward line is currently spearheaded by Alvaro Morata and Mario Mandzukic, though there are fears that the former could be set to leave Turin at the end of the season with former club Real Madrid expected to exercise their buy-back option on the Spanish international. Both United and Juventus have been credited with a strong interest in Romelu Lukaku, who has further underlined his significant potential by netting 25 goals in 37 appearances for Everton this term.