The boy from Brazil: Defender Dede
Sir Alex Ferguson is on the trail of one of South
America's top prospects after receiving glowing form reports on
emerging Brazil defender Dede.
Vasco da Gama's 23-year-old prospect hails from the same
area of Rio de Janeiro as Manchester United twins Fabio and Rafael
and has already been tipped by a rival club's manager to be the
cornerstone of Brazil's back line at the next World Cup.
It is understood Ferguson has closely followed his
progress in recent weeks and asked former United centre-back and
current Brazil talent-spotter Jaap Stam to run the rule over
him.
While the United manager considers a bid, he is aware of
strong interest from Benfica, who are renowned for identifying
South American talent at an early stage and have made Dede their
top summer target.
Non-payment of wages has led to recent threats of a player
strike at Vasco, with one of their squad, Bernardo, taking them to
a small claims court over lost earnings.
Sources in Rio describe Dede as Brazil's biggest star
after Neymar, and he further enhanced his reputation in last
month's Taca Guanabara semi-final against Flamengo, when a
man-marking job on Vagner Love was seen as crucial to his side's
2-1 win.
Man-marking: Dede was hailed for keeping striker Vagner
Love (left) quiet
Fluminense coach Abel Braga looked on, after
already booking a place in the final, and was in no doubt the 6ft
3in stopper, who can play centre-half or sweeper, had been the
difference between the sides.
'Dede is absurdly talented and will certainly be one of
Brazil's centre-backs at the 2014 World Cup,' he said. 'I cannot
believe a player comes up against Vagner Love in six or seven
one-on-ones and wins the ball every time.
'That is what Dede did. He made 16 tackles overall and not
one was a foul. His form at the moment is exceptional.'
Dede made the breakthrough at international level earlier
this season and underlined his standing as Brazil's best defender
by subduing the threat of Ronaldinho, as well as Love, against
Flamengo.
United believe his aerial strength, and tackling ability,
would enable him to settle quickly into a defence that needs
reinforcing after recent fitness problems for Rio Ferdinand and
Nemanja Vidic.