Manchester UnitedÂ’s interest in Kerlon, has been confirmed by the Brazilian forwardÂ’s agent Mino Raiola.
The 19-year-old, who is rated at around £14 million (€20 million) at Cruzeiro, has however seen a knee injury ruling out a move during the summer, although Torino still showed interest in taking him to Italy in close season.
Renowned for balancing the ball on his head or ‘seal dribble’, Kerlon had been linked with United in the British press for some time after boss Sir Alex Ferguson spotted the talented youth international during the South American championships.
Raiola told calciomercato: "His name is in the note-books of all the top European clubs. Before his latest knee injury, he was close to signing for Manchester United.
"Inter were also very interested and Juventus know him very well.
"The only true attempt for him this summer was from Torino, who gave me the mandate to do the deal. But Cruzeiro declared he was not for sale and the Granata took [Alvaro] Recoba instead.
"Kerlon has a contract until 2009 with the option for another year but this is not the problem. Whoever wants him, must spend approximately €20 million, a figure that an English club is already prepared to spend."
seal dribble