United's Jardel interest confirmed

The 29-year-old is being strongly linked to leave Sporting Lisbon when the transfer window opens in January.

The Brazilian international has been at loggerheads with Sporting's management since the summer, when he claimed that because of psychological problems he could not play for them again.

Sporting temporarily suspended him and although he is now back with the first team squad, it seems a matter of time before he departs the Portuguese capital.

"Mario has offers from European clubs, at the moment the interest of Manchester United is not unique," Jose Veiga told planetfootball.

"Anyway, this needs a lot of discussion since the Sporting is the one that will decide on his future."

Veiga admitted that Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz - now assistant manager at Old Trafford - could have a bearing on any deal, but said that all offers would be looked at.

"In professional football, Jardel does not know many countries or have many friends. The best proposal will take him," he admitted.

Barcelona and Real Betis both failed to lure Jardel to Spain in the summer and Veiga refused to rule out renewed bids from the Liga giants.

"They were interested in the player in the summer, but things could not happen because of Sporting's attitude.

"It is possible that they will rekindle their interest in December."

Veiga refused to comment on stories suggesting that he had held meetings with United and Barca over the past month.

He would only confirm that Jardel would be ideal for any country in Europe.

"He is perfect and would be able to score goals in any competitive league in Europe," Veiga commented.

"To him they would all be enchanting challenges and he will gladly take any definitive offer."

Previous Jardel transfer rumours looked to have little credence, but recent transfer rules in England make his move a lot more likely.

The Home Office have recently allowed players who do not meet work-permit criteria to appeal and if they sufficiently improved the standard, they would be allowed in.

This was the only avenue open to Jardel as he has only won a handful of Brazilian caps.

Nevertheless, Jardel may not want to put himself at the mercy of the unpredictable British work-permit criteria.

However, he has now applied for Portuguese citizenship - which would surpass any need to apply for a permit.

"Jardel wants to become a Portuguese citizen and the naturalisation petition has already been entered with the service for foreigners and frontiers," confirmed an official.