Man Utd Transfer News: Wonderkid Target Set For PSG

By Simon Gallagher / August 30, 2012

Manchester United target Lucas Moura has today confirmed that he is likely to join Paris St Germain to put an end to rumours that he was set to join Sir Alex's Premier League runners-up this summer, according to Sky Sports. Fergie confirmed his interest in landing the highly-regarded Brazilian last month and according to Sky Sports chose to miss United's friendly against Valerenga on Sunday to oversee the final stages of the transfer. His team had apparently appeared on the verge of agreeing a fee for 19-year-old Moura with current club Sao Paulo but the delay in the deal has now seen big-spending PSG emerge as the new favourites to sign him. Sky Sports are reporting that the delay was thanks to United's unwillingness to meet the demands of Moura's agent, leading to the player choosing not to go on with negotiations. Moura himself has now admitted to being in talks with the French capital side and will reportedly leave Sao Paulo in January to join up with his new club. He spoke to Folha in the wake of Brazil's Olympic Games semi-final victory over South Korea to confirm as much:

"This is a good thing. I'll stay at Sao Paulo until the end of the year. Things are well underway."

Before telling Globo Esporte his preference was to stay in Brazil until the new year:

"No doubt that would be better because I can help Sao Paulo a bit more. I have always said that I want to win a title before leaving and qualify the team for the Libertadores Cup. If it happens in January, I'll be able to do that for Sao Paulo. I'm focused on the national team. I can only say something after the Olympics. It's well underway, but not done."

The young playmaker also told Globo Esporte of the role that compatriots Thiago Silva and Leonardo had inc convincing him to chose a move to the French club:

"I talked to Thiago Silva and Leonardo, they said many good things about the club, the project they are implementing there."

ESPN quoted their own mysterious source in suggesting that Sir Alex is furious at the development, after apparently missing out on a second high-profile target this summer thanks to the demands of a players agent, following Eden Hazard's decision to join Chelsea:

"The Lucas Moura deal with PSG looks to be done at $40 million, and Manchester United thought they had got Hazard but he ended up going to Chelsea. Sir Alex is not happy with losing out on two of his top transfer targets this summer, not happy at all."

So what do you think Man Utd fans? Is this a missed opportunity for Sir Alex? Are you unhappy to see another linked star chose a different destination club? Share your thoughts below...