Manchester United are reportedly ready to turn their attentions to Portugal’s star midfielder Joao Moutinho.
United Plan Move for £25m Portuguese International as Ferguson Gives Up On Modric Chase
Reds Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson seems resigned to losing first-choice target Luka Modric to the lure of Real Madrid and a £35million fee United consider way too high.
But last season’s Premier League runners-up have moved quickly to identify a new set of targets and their scouts at Euro 2012 have urged the Red Devils to now move quickly on Porto schemer Moutinho.
Moutinho has been linked with repeated moves to England in recent seasons with both Everton and Manchester City checking on his progress.
But the 25-year-old’s showings in the European Championships has marked him down as an ideal candidate to fill a much-needed berth in the Old Trafford squad.
Moutinho is currently valued at £25million but earns a relatively modest £45,000 a week back in his homeland. United also feel they can steal a march on their rivals with their track record of investing previously in Portuguese players.
His representative Pini Zahavi has very close ties to super agent Jorge Mendes, who has brought the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Bebe to the Theatre of Dreams in recent seasons.