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No Moura talks with United

Image: Lucas Moura: The Brazil international has a £62m buyout clause in his contract but Sao Paulo could accept £30m

Lucas Moura's agent maintains he has no plans to talk to Manchester United when in England for the Olympics.

Agent thinks transfer speculation is becoming a distraction

Lucas Moura's agent maintains he has no plans to talk to Manchester United when in England as the Premier League giants remain short of an asking price of at least £30million. The Brazil midfielder's representative, Wagner Ribeiro, has already suggested a switch to Old Trafford will not happen because United do not have the necessary money. United are said to have failed in a £25.6m (€33m) bid, with Moura's club, Sao Paulo, wanting at least £30m for a player who has an €80m (£62m) buy-out clause in his contract. But some reports have suggested a deal for Moura is drawing closer and discussions would take place with United over the course of this summer's London Olympics.

Not true

Ribeiro, though, insists the only focus will be on Moura helping favourites Brazil to win gold as they prepare for their first match against Egypt on Thursday before later Group C games versus Belarus and New Zealand. The agent told Estadao ESPN when asked about stories in British newspapers which have implied he will meet with United: "No, it's not true. "The only offer was made 15 days ago, €33m. I'm going to England to watch Brazil's games during the weekend." Ribeiro's doubts about United's ability to go any higher than their current offer also remain.
Harm
Asked about Moura's price, he said: "I can't see any European club capable of offering the same as United offered for Lucas. "The €33m offer is the biggest of all time [in Brazilian football]." Ribeiro is also concerned the rumours about Moura's future could have an impact on the player at the Olympics and act as a distraction. He said: "The best now is for all parties to remain quiet, so Lucas can play the Olympics, so he remains calm. "English newspapers are talking about this every day and that's harming him, so he'd better staying away from all this."