Red Devils Inch Closer to Signing Samba Star - Report

Rumours that Manchester United are edging closer to completing a deal for Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura are gaining momentum, with the latest being a report by ESPN that quotes sources as saying Sir Alex Ferguson was keen to sign the player and was close to realising the deal.

"Sir Alex is keen to push through the signing of the young winger and United will have to pay £30 million to get him," the unidentified source is quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, adding further weight to news the transfer has been completed is a report by Daily Mail which suggests Moura is, in fact, set for physical check-up at Old Trafford, ahead of the move. The report states Moura travelled to Manchester from Newcastle, after Brazil beat Honduras 3-2 in the quarter final of the men's football event at the London 2012 Olympics.

The 19 year old Moura has featured prominently in transfer rumours this summer, with Italian champions Inter Milan also linked to the player. However, despite the latest reports, his parent club, Sao Paulo, have been quoted in the past as saying their young star would stay with them.

"There are no negotiations going on. Everybody knows that we got an offer for him, and rejected it. It's also known that Lucas doesn't want to leave. The only person keeping the expectations alive is his agent," the Brazilian club's director, Adalberto Baptista, declared.

"The decision is final. There will always be great teams going after great players. This mismatch between the European and Brazilian transfer window makes it hard for national clubs, and we have to deal with that," he added.

Baptista also dimissed reports of interest from United's rivals Manchester City. The English champions have not been linked with a move for Moura but should an opportunity present itself, Roberto Mancini may well be delighted to make the transfer, particularly since the Italian has stressed on the need for the Citizens to reinforce playing ranks ahead of the new season.

Moura is presently with his national team at the Olympics, where Brazil will play South Korea in the men's football event semi final. He has refused to be drawn on speculation regarding his future, insisting he wanted to wait until the Olympics were over before he thought about where he would play next season.

"I am focusing on my team, Sao Paulo and in Brazil's national team at the moment. I'll decide my future after the Olympics," he said earlier in the week.