Manchester United are officially out of the race to sign Gabriel Moscardo with Corinthians confirming that the Premier League linked midfielder is joining Paris Saint-Germain.
After weeks of speculation – the Gabriel Moscardo deal threatening to become something of a saga – there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel.
PSG, after fighting off reported competition from Liverpool for Sao Paulo defender Lucas Beraldo, have secured the signature of another of Brazil’s rising stars. Gabriel Moscardo, according to ESPN, has been watched by Manchester United and, in truth, most of Europe’s leading clubs.
The Ligue 1 champions moved into pole position back in December, though there were concerns that a £22 million deal would collapse due to an untimely injury which appeared to have PSG suffering from a nasty case of cold feet.
But after Corinthians and PSG finally came to an agreement – Moscardo set to cross the Atlantic in July rather than January as he prepares to undergo surgery – a door which appeared to have opened up for Man United and co has just slammed shut for good.
PSG beat Manchester United to Gabriel Moscardo
“I can confirm we have sold Gabriel Moscardo to Paris Saint-Germain,” Augusto Melo, Corinthians’ president, says in quotes reported by Fabrizio Romano and UOL.
“The deal is done. Moscardo will undergo surgery and then join PSG in July.”
“We notified them, and they agreed to complete the signing with the risk of surgery. They accepted. He is going to PSG.”
Red Devils scout midfielder market
Moscardo, a regular in the Corinthians team at the age of just 18, is one of a number of rising midfield talents on Manchester United’s radar. Valencia’s Javi Guerra, Royal Antwerp wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren, and Everton enforcer Amadou Onana also have admirers at Old Trafford.
According to reports, Benfica’s baby-faced playmaker Joao Neves is emerging as one of the club’s leading targets ahead of their first summer of INEOS co-ownership. The Portuguese giants have, however, taken to issuing a statement playing down those United links.
“Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over Joao Neves,” the statement reads. “Under no circumstances has Benfica started talks with Manchester United or any other club about Joao.
“Nor does it intend to do so.”
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