13-07-2009, 10:38 AM
United are moving closer to signing Douglas Costa, the highly rated Brazil Under-20 midfield player, from Grêmio.
The Brazilian club are holding out for about £20 million — close to the release clause stated in the player’s contract — but United are reluctant to pay that much and hope that a compromise can be reached shortly.
United initially wanted to take Douglas, 18, on a three-week trial, but while that request was rejected by Grêmio, negotiations over a permanent deal are continuing.
Douglas would be United’s fourth signing of the summer after Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan, with senior sources at the club insisting that they have no interest in buying Samuel Eto’o, the Barcelona striker.
The Brazilian club are holding out for about £20 million — close to the release clause stated in the player’s contract — but United are reluctant to pay that much and hope that a compromise can be reached shortly.
United initially wanted to take Douglas, 18, on a three-week trial, but while that request was rejected by Grêmio, negotiations over a permanent deal are continuing.
Douglas would be United’s fourth signing of the summer after Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan, with senior sources at the club insisting that they have no interest in buying Samuel Eto’o, the Barcelona striker.