Manchester United have cooled their pursuit of Douglas Costa,
the Brazilian forward, amid frustration at the exorbitant demands
of Grêmio.
United opened negotiations with Grêmio last month, but
discussions are unlikely to resume this summer unless the Brazilian
club dramatically reduce a prohibitive £20 million asking price for
the teenager.
The bid for Douglas, 18, was thought to be an exception to Sir
Alex Ferguson’s claim this week that United would make no further
additions to their squad because of inflated prices in the transfer
market, but it is among several proposed deals that have persuaded
him about the lack of value this summer. The number of agents
involved in the proposed transfer is another factor that has led
the club to walk away from the negotiating table.
Of United’s three new signings, only Michael Owen was among the
22 players on the flight that took the squad to Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, yesterday. Gabriel Obertan, the recruit from Bordeaux,
was missing through injury — as were Nemanja Vidic, with an ankle
problem, and Owen Hargreaves, who continues his rehabilitation from
a long-term knee injury.
Antonio Valencia, signed from Wigan Athletic for a £16 million
fee, was missing because of difficulties in obtaining a visa.
Under the terms of his transfer from Wigan, the Ecuador winger
had to apply for a new work permit to stay in the United Kingdom.
That protracted process is complete, but he has yet to secure the
documentation to play in at least one of the four countries that
United will visit on their four-match Asian tour.
They start in earnest with a match against a Malaysia XI
tomorrow, followed by games in Jakarta, Seoul and Hangzhou.
