Manchester United are ready to strike for Everton Ribeiro, eight years after having him visit the club's training complex, tribalfootball.com can reveal. United are now in negotiations for the 24 year-old Cruzeiro midfielder, with the view to signing him in January.
Italian agent Nicola Giuliani, an expert on the Brazilian transfer market, has also told tribalfootball.com that Cruzeiro recently turned down a bumper offer from the Middle East for Ribeiro.
In association with one of his Brazilian scouts, Eduardo Dos Santos Alves, Giuliani told us today: "Everton Ribeiro grew up at Corinthians as a defender, but is now currently playing as a left winger with Cruzeiro and has attracted the attention of many European clubs like Fiorentina and Manchester United.
"Ribeiro is definitely ready for an important club in Europe - as he himself has said.
"But I believe today the biggest problem for him is getting a work permit in England."
Giuliani believes Cruzeiro will seek €15 million for Ribeiro, explaining: "As for the price, there are rumours of an offer rejected by Cruzeiro of approximately 10 million from a Middle Eastern club, so it is likely that the correct price is around 15 million."
On connections with United, he concludes: "Everton is said to have a great memory of Manchester United, when at age 16 he visited their campus. He has big hopes of playing for the Red Devils.
"Currently, he is definitely one of the most exciting players in the Brazilian league, a great prospect and great talent, in my opinion he's ready for a top club."
