Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Juan Fernando Quintero Linked with a Move

Manchester United failed to ensnare Lucas Moura in the summer but are currently being linked with another young South American prodigy, Juan Fernando Quintero.

La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that the 20-year-old could make the move to Old Trafford this January in a potential deal worth close to £10 million.

In an exclusive interview, Quintero was asked about his future, to which he replied, "I'm aiming high: Manchester United, AC Milan, Juventus. I’ll make a decision with my family and Calleri, my agent."

Clearly ambitious, he added, "I strive to be like Rivaldo, he’s the best. But I’ve still got a lot to learn and work on before I can reach his level."

The central, attacking midfielder plays for Pescara in the Italian Serie A and has also been capped at international level for Colombia.

It is believed that a number of offers have been made for his services already during the winter transfer market, but it is unclear whether or not United were one of the sides to make their apparent interest concrete.

Pescara's fellow Serie A side Fiorentina are also believed to be interested in acquiring Quintero.

The Biancazzurri's president Daniele Sebastiani revealed to Radio Sportiva earlier this month that "Fiorentina really like [him]. We have an excellent rapport with their director Daniele Prade" (h/t Football-Italia.net).

Inter Milan, though, seems to be Quintero's preferred destination: "I like them more than the others because they have lots of South Americans. And I enjoy living in Italy."

Such interest in the diminutive youngster has come as a result of his terrific displays in the South American Under-20 championship, which is currently taking place in Argentina.

This season, he has scored once in 14 appearances in Italy's top division, as well as racking up a couple of assists.

According to WhoScored.com, the Colombian is one of the finest passers in the Serie A, averaging 44.8 passes per appearance with an 87.2 percent completion rate.

Standing at only 5"7', Quintero has a very low centre of gravity, which allows him to turn on a dime.

The creative prodigy is renowned for his excellent control and dribbling ability—he is a player more than capable of skinning his marker with the ball at his feet.

Though his goal-scoring record hasn't been exceptional this season, he is never afraid to crack a powerful, rasping drive from 30 yards out.

For video of the youngster in action, click here.

In other Manchester United transfer news, long-suffering striker Federico Macheda has been linked with a loan move to Bundesliga club Stuttgart this month.

The young striker's agent Giovanni Bia told TMW this week, "We are at an advanced point with Stuttgart. Negotiations are going well. He is a player who is liked by a lot of clubs" (h/t The Mirror).

The switch would be with a view to a permanent transfer if it were to work out.

Since capturing the attention of the footballing world with his match-winning debut against Aston Villa in 2009, the Italian has failed to make an impact at Old Trafford.

Loan moves to Sampdoria and Queens Park Rangers have failed to deliver, while he has gotten little in the way of first team action under Sir Alex Ferguson.

What do you think of the reports linking Juan Quintero with a move to Manchester? Should Federico Macheda leave the club on loan?

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