Manchester United Transfer News: Gabriel Jesus' Agent Dismisses Summer Rumours

The agent of reported Manchester United target Gabriel Jesus has confirmed the Red Devils are yet to make a formal approach for the Palmeiras attacker amid speculation linking the player with a move to Juventus.

Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness cited Brazilian newspaper O Estado De Sao Paulo, which recently reported United had lodged a bid for the player, but Jesus' agent, Cristiano Simoes, has rejected those claims:

"

There wasn’t even a contact, at least not with me or the player.

Well, United are a world football force. Everyone dreams of playing there, but the thing is not so simple. We need to analyse aspects regarding the adaptation to food, climate, language, social interaction, among other things.

"

Sposito also sourced Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport, which reported Serie A champions Juventus had already lodged a bid worth between €15 million (£11.8 million) and €20 million (£15.8 million) for Gabriel.

Goal.com's Romeo Agresti backed up those claims after revealing the Bianconeri's Fabio Paratici had led a scouting mission to Brazil, and it was there that their interest in Gabriel was intensified.

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The 19-year-old is alleged to a release clause in his contract worth €40 million (£31.5 million), but that figure drops to just €24 million (£18.9 million) for a particular set of clubs—Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and United.

Contrary to Agresti's claims, Sposito insisted in his report Juventus are among that number but are focused on cutting a cheaper deal for one of Brazil's brightest prospects, as shown by fan account Selecao Brasileira:

The Red Devils know the figure they must pay if they're to land Gabriel, a player who can thrive in attacking midfield or in a wider capacity, with four goals in five Copa Libertadores fixtures this year.

Sky Sports South American correspondent, Paulo Freitas, went one step further and quoted Simoes, who said his player won't leave his native Brazil before the end of 2016, at the very earliest:

It seems both Simoes and Palmeiras are focused on keeping their player grounded and successful in Brasileiro Serie A, but the player himself could have a major hand in deciding when and where he goes.

While United's expected failure to qualify for next season's Champions League may diminish their transfer prospects, some players may see this as a good time in which to contribute to the club's cause.

Gabriel has scored a total of 18 goals in 57 first-team games for Palmeiras, including a run of three in his last five outings for the Sao Paulo outfit.

United face a fight if they're to land such a highly rated South American asset, and with his price supposedly out in the open, it could be a matter of time until one of their peers lunges for his signature.