Inter Milan president claims PSG are frontrunners for Man Utd target Moura
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti claims Paris Saint German have made moved ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Lucas Moura after submitting a €45million (£35.7m) bid.
Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly been in talks the Brazilian international’s representatives with a view to striking a deal that will see him move to Old Trafford.
Agreeing terms with Moura has proven difficult for Ferguson who now look set to beaten to his signature by big-spending PSG after they stepped in to meet Sao Paulo’s valuation.
Moratti has now stated that the French giants have intensified their pursuit of the 19-year-old attacker by submitting a formal bid after tracking him for the past few months.
“Faced with such prices, we cannot compete. We have a different logic than that of Paris Saint Germain,” said Moratti.
“In any case, there are no regrets that we didn’t finish off the move, as the cost was already pretty high a few days ago.
“The €45m that PSG offered is completely illogical and for us it would’ve been very out of key with our approach.
“PSG are starting a new era, so they are completely reconstructing the squad. At least I can relish the fact I’m saving money.
“We were close to Lucas, for several days we talked about him, but honestly I never really believed in this deal, because it was too expensive.
“I have no regrets, the only certain thing now is that I saved money. (Bologna’s, Gaston) Ramirez and (Catania’s, Alejandro) Gomez as alternatives? There are many good players, but I don’t choose the players.”
United have already signed Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell this summer but wanted Moura as the long-term replacement for veteran Paul Scholes as he continues his rebuilding process after losing out on the Premier League title to rivals City last term.
