16-06-2009, 11:21 AM
Brazil prospect Douglas Costa’s agent has claimed the Gremio youngster is being eyed as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.
Attacking midfielder Douglas, 18, has earned rave reviews in his homeland and has been linked with the Old Trafford club for the last two years.
Douglas has four years remaining on his contract with Gremio but the Brazilian side are likely to hold out for around £20 million.
The diminutive Brazil U20 international has been described as ’the new Ronaldinho’ and is a noted free-kick specialist
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan have also been tracking him over the last 18 months.
But his agent, Cesar Bottega, believes the player could fill the void left by Madrid-bound Ronaldo at United and claims he is on Sir Alex Ferguson’s shortlist of targets.
Bottega said: "They have identified four or five possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo in the world, and Douglas is one of them.
"We have been contacted by several clubs some time ago, including Manchester [United], but by South American ones as well."
Attacking midfielder Douglas, 18, has earned rave reviews in his homeland and has been linked with the Old Trafford club for the last two years.
Douglas has four years remaining on his contract with Gremio but the Brazilian side are likely to hold out for around £20 million.
The diminutive Brazil U20 international has been described as ’the new Ronaldinho’ and is a noted free-kick specialist
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan have also been tracking him over the last 18 months.
But his agent, Cesar Bottega, believes the player could fill the void left by Madrid-bound Ronaldo at United and claims he is on Sir Alex Ferguson’s shortlist of targets.
Bottega said: "They have identified four or five possible replacements for Cristiano Ronaldo in the world, and Douglas is one of them.
"We have been contacted by several clubs some time ago, including Manchester [United], but by South American ones as well."