Blow for United as Sao Paulo insist £25m-rated starlet Moura will not be sold

Sao Paulo are digging their heels in over Lucas Moura after admitting they had received an offer from Manchester United.

‘It is a risk not selling Lucas, but we are going to take it,’ said president Juvenal Juvencio.

Wanted: Lucas Moura (left) is a target for Manchester United and Chelsea

United's chief scout Jim Lawlor had flown to Brazil in an attempt to tie up a £25million deal for the playmaker.



He travelled along with club secretary John Alexander is also believed to be on standby to complete the transfer but the 19-year-old looks set to stay put. Sao Paulo claim they have already rejected a £32.4m offer from Chelsea.

More to come? Sir Alex Ferguson with signings Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell