Santos Place Highly-Rated Midfielder in European Shop Window

Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro de Oliveira has admitted Ganso could leave Brazil if the club receive a significant offer for the highly-rated midfielder.

Sources at Goal.com revealed Ganso's agent was in London in January to meet with Spurs officials to discuss how much they would be willing to offer for the Santos star.

Santos president Luis Oliveira revealed in January that the club were prepared to sell Ganso if "the offer matches our expectations". However, neither Manchester United and Tottenham pursued their reported interest, with the situation believed to be complicated by the fact that 55 per cent of Ganso's contract rights are currently held by an investment group, DIS - the Telegraph reports.

A number of top European clubs, including Manchester United and Tottenham, have been linked with the 22-year-old after he impressed at the FIFA World Club Cup in Japan.

Santos' heavy loss to Barcelona in the final undermined an impressive 2011 for the midfielder, who has already earned seven full Brazil caps and is already considered an automatic choice for the national side.

An imposing, stylish No.10, Ganso has already garnered comparisons to France legend Zinedine Zidane for his improvisational approach play and goal scoring prowess. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have both been linked with the 22-year-old, who is considered one of the hottest talents in South American football.

And Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has admitted the club were still hoping to cash-in on the player at the end of the season.

"Santos do not want unhappy players," Ribeiro told Brazil radio station Radio Globo - via talkSPORT. "If he wants to leave and a bid meets our valuation, he can leave.

"The player is eager to shine and that is something that is in both his interests and the club's. If he plays well, certainly better offers will come in the middle of the year."