Douglas Coutinho, one of Brazil’s hottest prospects, is to meet with Premier League giants Manchester United in the coming weeks, according to his representative Taciano Pimenta.
The 20-year-old is believed to travel to Europe over the next ten days, reportedly holding talks with prospective clubs over his future. Currently lining up for Atletico Parananese, Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco and reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid have also been contacted with a provisional price tag.
I had a query about interest and Manchester United. Obviously if they want to buy, the interest to sell is there.
Understood to be in the region of £7.5 million, neither Manchester United nor Atletico Parananse are yet to release official statements regarding the matter. However, members of the Red Devils’ scouting network have been identified at Brazilian games, while known to have substantial links with a variety of South American clubs.
Pimenta, an official representative of Coutinho, has spoken out regarding the matter, and suggests a deal could be favourable for both parties. He said:
“I had a query about interest and Manchester United. Obviously if they want to buy, the interest to sell is there. I go to see it’s official.”
The striker is currently under contract with the Brazilian top tier side until 2017, but ongoing legal disputes have casted doubts over the financial stability of Claudinei Oliveira’s side. Atletico have been known for their struggles with finances, inconvenienced by the debt left from their newly developed stadium, used in the 2014 World Cup.
Douglas Coutinho has currently scored 19 times in 64 appearances, having already represented The Hurricanes 34 times this season.