Lucas Moura: Brazilian Starlet Will Validate High Asking Price as He Matures

Lucas Moura, a member of Brazil's Olympic team and Sao Paulo winger, may be on the move in the near future. This Brazilian starlet has recently been linked to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United by ESPN.com, and Ferguson admits his interest in the 19-year-old talent:

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on Monday confirmed the club's interest in securing a deal for Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura, but denied reports that a deal had been struck.

Ferguson denied reports that the Red Devils had settled on financial terms for the 19-year-old Brazilian prospect, who shot to prominence in early 2011.

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According to Yahoo! Sports (per American Free Press) Moura's asking price is reportedly £26 million ($40.3 million). That's certainly a steep price for a largely unproven commodity, but he's exactly what Ferguson is seeking.

Moreover, you can expect Moura to validate that price sooner or later.

He's only 19 years old, and he will only improve as he matures mentally and physically as a player. His lack of experience (15 appearances with Brazil's national team and 59 with Sao Paulo) may cause some fans to question his value, but that will be erased once you watch him play.

Lucas is one of the world's budding stars in the attacking midfield. He's technically sound, and he understands the game better than players 10 years older than him. He may lack career appearances, but he has a firm grasp on football's nuances. 

Manchester United would benefit from adding Lucas to the mix and watching him grow. In ESPN's report Ferguson speaks to the "fantastic potential" of newly-acquired Shinji Kagawa. Kagawa's presence, along with the Red Devils' returning cast, would allow Lucas to develop without supreme amounts of pressure on his shoulders.

That's extremely important for a players' development, especially in a pressure-packed environment like Old Trafford. Lucas would be able to play the game the way he knows how, and Manchester United fans could watch him develop into one of the key cogs in their future attack.

Yes, the asking price is high, but you have to pay top dollar to grab talented players. Lucas Moura is not a player you want to pass on, and I'm sure Ferguson already realizes that. 

We don't know where he will end up, but Moura will be a star player. His day isn't here yet, but clubs would be wise to ensure that "day" is played on their pitch.