The Lucas Moura-to-a-European-Club saga just does not seem to end anytime soon, with Sao Paulo denying they have received any bid from Manchester United's rivals Manchester City.
A Sky Italia report on Thursday suggested a €27 million (£21.1 million, $32.8 million) fee, rising to €32 million (£25.1 million, $39 million) based on appearances and success, from Inter Milan for Moura had been accepted by Sao Paulo, while several other reports mentioned Manchester City had joined the race for the tricky winger.
Sao Paulo sporting director Adalberto Baptista told Calciomercato.it, that he was not aware of any interest from the English Premier League champions and played down the chances of City hijacking United's move for the 19-year-old, who is currently with the Brazil squad for the London Olympics. "Interest from Manchester City? We are not aware of it and we have not had contact with them," Baptista said.
"An offer of €27million for Lucas from Inter Milan? We have not received written offers from Inter and that figure should not be enough, since we have already refused an official offer of €32million for our player."
Baptista suggested the club still wanted to keep Moura in Brazil and would prefer a sale to be made at a later date. The Brazilian club, to fight off interest from Europe, are believed to be readying an improved contract offer for the teenager.
"During the transfer window, there is a lot of speculation. Unfortunately until August 31, we'll have to deal with this," Baptista said.
"We know many European clubs want Lucas but we work with two facts. The first is that Sao Paulo don't think this is the moment to lose Lucas. We need him to win the titles our fans want.
"Secondly, Lucas himself does not think this is the moment to leave Brazil."
Asked if the club had set a price for their player, Baptista pointed out to the player's buyout clause. "We negotiate when the player effectively asks us to do so. Then we set a value below the buyout fee.
"Whenever a club comes to us (for Lucas), we ask them to pay the buyout fee that is €70 million (£55.3 million, $86.7 million)."
Moura has repeatedly said he will only make a decision after the Olympics, with the midfielder solely wanting to concentrate on helping his country win a first Olympic gold medal.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard signed a new four-year deal with United, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2015-16 season.
"I'm very pleased to have signed a new contract," the 28-year-old told the club's official website. "I'm glad and proud that the manager has shown the confidence he has in me by giving me a new deal.
"There is nowhere in the world I would rather be than right here. The competition for places is tough, as it should be in a club like this. It only makes us better as individuals and, more importantly, stronger as a team.
"It's what I have dreamt of all my life and nothing makes me more proud than wearing the Manchester United badge."
"Anders is still relatively young for a goalkeeper but he has come on leaps and bounds since joining us last year," Sir Alex Ferguson added.
"There is healthy competition in the goalkeeping department, which is always good for the team, albeit a headache for me!
"I am delighted he has signed a new contract and also delighted to see that he has clearly returned from the summer break in good shape after the disappointment of suffering an injury last season."
