The final weeks of the transfer window could see another transfer saga emerge, this time involving 23-year-old Porto defender Ricardo Pereira who is being chased by United and Tottenham not to mention several other continental clubs.
Described as "highly-rated" by the Daily Express, it is Pereira's versatility that has caught the eye of several coaches with the paper reporting that he's capable of playing at right-back, right wing-back role or even on the left side of the defence.
That's why Jose Mourinho apparently sent his scouts to Portugal last weekend to watch the young blocker in action for Porto against Tondela. Tottenham also had their spies present to see Pereira put in a solid performance in the 1-0 win. But the two English clubs face competition from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.
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Porto are hoping a bidding war breaks out between now and the end of August with the Express saying that they "have slapped a £20m price-tag on Pereira" and are confident that sum will increase as United and their rivals go head-to-head for his signature.
Elsewhere and the Daily Express says that Juventus are poised to table a £22.5m bid for midfielder Marouane Fellaini. The Italian champions haven't shone in the transfer market this summer, watching in dismay as defensive duo Leonardo Bonucci and Dani Alves jumped ship to AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain respectively. Their on-field form has been little better this month and they were humbled by Lazio in the Italian Super Cup at the weekend.
Against that backdrop, coach Massimiliano Allegri is determined to make some signings before the market closes in a couple of weeks, and the Express says that Fellaini and Paris Saint-Germain star Blaise Matuidi are top of his shopping list.
While a bid of £22.5m bid is likely to impress United's bean-counters - given the Belgian turns 30 this year - Jose Mourinho might need some convincing. He recently described Fellaini as " very important" to United and ruled out selling him this summer.
