United crank up £30m Moura bid as Brazil ace expresses doubt over Sao Paulo future 

Manchester United are stepping up their £30million bid for Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura amid competition from Inter Milan. 

A United delegation is due to arrive in Brazil on Tuesday to open talks after the 19-year-old's father spoke to Inter on Friday.

United want to tie up a deal ahead of the player joining Brazil's Olympic squad. 

Interest: Moura (left) is interested in a move to Old Trafford

 

They were previously told by Lucas's father that he was destined for Real Madrid but they have switched to Luka Modric. 

Chelsea had a bid of £32m rejected but they have now agreed a deal for Internacional's Oscar while Inter are ready to offer around £20m.

Lucas said: 'I cannot guarantee that I will stay until the end of my contract,' he said.

'Much has changed and the situation is not up to me any more.

'I know my father and my agent had a meeting (with Inter) but I don't know what was said. Now I will go to the Olympics with my mind only on winning a gold medal.'

Inter technical director Marco Branca and sporting director Piero Ausilio are believed to be the officials who held talks with Lucas's representatives on Friday.

Riding high: The Brazil ace has already been the subject of a bid from Chelsea

The Italian giants are expected to submit an offer of about £20million this week - an improvement on their £15m bid in the winter.

Lucas told Estadao: 'You never know what can happen. I don't have a crazy desire to leave but, when the time comes, I will speak with my family and decide what is best for my future.

'When I go on the internet I see Inter, Real Madrid and I don't know who else, wanting to come for me with a truck load of money.

'Of course I think about it, but I can't let it go to my head. I'm very calm and down to earth about it. My job is to play football so that these clubs continue to be interested.'

Lucas's agent Wagner Ribeiro has a very close relationship with both Chelsea and Real Madrid, but has previously failed to place Robinho and Neymar at Stamford Bridge.

Inter see the playmaker as a successor to Wesley Sneijder, while they are also in Brazil to negotiate for Corinthians midfielder Paulinho.

Milan newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reports they also want to be kept informed about Internacional midfielder Oscar, who is interesting Tottenham.