Manchester United eye January move for Brazil international

The agent of Lucas Lima has claimed Manchester United are among the clubs that want to sign the Santos star in January.

Lima’s current Santos deal is due to expire at the end of the year and he is widely expected to make a high profile switch to Europe in the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona during the summer but his agent, Lucas Badia, says United are among the sides chasing his signature.

“Inter, Roma and Barcelona are keeping close tabs on Lucas, Manchester United want him,” he told Turkish paper Haberturk, via The Sun. “I think we would be well suited to the Serie A but we will see.

“His contract ends on 31 December and there are many clubs interested but I am not sure what Santos is trying to do. Crystal Palace made a €15m offer while Fenerbahce made a €20m bid but for some reason neither has been accepted.”

Lima has more than a dozen international caps for Brazil but hasn’t been involved for the Selecao for the last 12 months. Regularly deployed as a No.10, Lima has only managed three assists and one goal in 16 league appearances this season.

However, only Gustavo Scarpa (52) has created more chances in this season’s Brasileirao than Lima (50).