Manchester United: Lucas Moura to Inter Milan for €27 Million

Manchester United transfer target Lucas Moura might not be coming to Old Trafford after all this summer, with the latest reports suggesting that the talented teenager could be on his way to Inter Milan.

The Italian club have reportedly agreed on a fee of €27 million with current club Sao Paulo, with the deal possibly reaching around €32 million depending on appearances, according to Sky Sports Italia (h/t Goal):

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Inter Milan have reached an agreement with Sao Paulo for the transfer of Brazil international to the San Siro, Sky Sports Italia reports.

Fresh reports suggest the two clubs have concurred on a €27m deal which could rise to as much as €32m depending upon the midfielder's performances for the Italian club.

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ESPN Soccernet also highlights the same report from Sky Sports Italia and state that:

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Inter Milan have edged closer to signing Brazil starlet Lucas Moura, with reports in Italy claiming the Serie A outfit have agreed a transfer fee with his current club Sao Paulo.

Lucas has also been linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid over the summer. But Sky Sport Italia reported late on Thursday evening that Inter had trumped their powerful rivals by agreeing to a €27 million transfer fee, which could rise to €32 million depending on appearances.

All clubs had previously balked at Sao Paulo's €40 million valuation of Lucas, with United understood to have failed with bids before Inter increased their pursuit of the 19-year-old.

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However, there are a few things that we must point out with these reports—from both an Inter Milan and Manchester United perspective.

Firstly, it's not completely ridiculous that Inter Milan have signed the talented teenager. The club have had a long-standing interest (via The Independent) in signing Lucas and were reported yesterday by the English media  as rejoining the race for the 19-year-old.

Inter Milan's head of technical staff, Marco Branca, is also rumored to be in Brazil—meaning that the notion of him working a deal with Brazilian club Sao Paulo for Lucas is a viable option. 

However, from a Manchester United perspective, the obvious question mark is over the transfer fee.

United were believed to have had a bid of £26 million rejected by Sao Paulo, according to The Guardian, with the understanding that it wasn't enough money for the teenager.

Thus, for Inter Milan to have reportedly agree on a €27 million fee (approximately £21 million) with the club does seem a little confusing.

The English Premier League giants were always considered the front-runners for Lucas and were expected to sign the starlet over the summer transfer window, but it seems now that Inter Milan have jumped in and stolen the teenager from right under their noses.

That is, if you believe the current reports.

I'm sure we're bound to hear more on this one over the next few days and one way or another, we'll know if Inter Milan have actually signed Lucas Moura or whether the Red Devils are still in with a chance to land their top transfer target this summer.

What do you make of the reported Inter Milan deal with Sao Paulo?

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