United have apparently been priced out of the race for Brazilian playmaker Douglas Costa, according to the players representatives. The 18 year old is a target for Sir Alex Ferguson side, but he Fergie only rates the starlet at £6.7million, yet Gremio the players club are demanding £20 million. ‘Informal talks’ have taken place, but Costa’s agent Cesar Bottega claims his club Gremio are playing hardball over the requested fee.
“I don’t believe that they (Manchester United) will reach this figure,” Bottega told Porto Alegre newspaper Zero Hora.
“Right now, an offer might come in at a maximum of £6.7million. But this would not be enough for [Gremio] president Duda Kroeff.”
The youngster is highly rated and is said to be one of the most exciting prospects to come out of Brazilian in years. Sir Alex may decide to compromise with the Brazilians over the fee, but wont be held to ransom with other targets available. Wigan’s winger Antonio Valencia is rated as the most likely to sign for United and a fee in the region of £18 million could be enough to secure the Ecuadoreans signature.
