Paris St Germain have moved one step closer to sealing the signing of highly-rated Brazilian youngster Lucas Moura, who has been tracked by Manchester United the entire summer, after the winger admitted he was interested in a move, while Tony Hibbert wants Wayne Rooney to end his career at his hometown club Everton.
Sao Paolo confirmed talks were ongoing between PSG and the club, and admitted a move was likely as new PSG signing and Brazilian teammate Thiago Silva put his weight behind the move.
"We have been probed by PSG about Lucas," vice president Sao Paulo Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes told Le 10 Sport.
"(PSG sporting director) Leonardo has a very good relationship with Sao Paulo. But, for now, nothing is definite."
Reports suggest a deal, where Moura would stay at Sao Paulo until January, has been agreed, after the Brazilian club reportedly accepted an offer of €45 million (£35.7 million, $55.7 million).
"The possibility (of a move to PSG) exists, but it is down to the player's interests," Lopes added. "The policy of Sao Paulo is to follow the desires of the player.
"If the player wishes to leave, Sao Paulo will not create any obstacle. But we must receive a proposal that is appropriate.
"It's a financial issue. Paris Saint-Germain is a big club in European football, and if the player's interests and also the club's are met, I do not see why it would not happen."
Speaking after Brazil's comfortable win over South Korea in the semi-finals of the London Olympics, Moura admitted a move was in the works. "This is the good thing; I'll stay at Sao Paulo until the end of the year. It's well underway," Moura told Folha de Sao Paulo."
"No doubt that would be better because I can help Sao Paulo a bit more," he added to Globo Esporte. I have always said that I want to win a title before leaving and qualify the team for the Libertadores Cup.
"If it happens in January, I'll be able to do that for Sao Paulo. I'm focused on the national team. I can only say something after the Olympics. It's well underway, but not done.
"I talked to Thiago Silva and Leonardo, they said many good things about the club, the project they are implementing there."
Silva, meanwhile, said he had asked Moura to join him in Paris. "I spoke with Lucas last week, when I saw that something was out in the press," the defender told Mundo Deportivo. "I know they are talking, there are negotiations, and I hope he will sign for PSG.
"I know that the PSG and Sao Paulo are talking about it. I would be happy if the guy came to us at the end.
"Lucas does amazing things with the ball.
"I do not praise Lucas because we play together or because he is my friend, but because he brings a lot to a Brazilian team that is already great,
"The team has huge qualities and this is a player who can bring even more. He is a very fast player with a very good delivery."
According to the Daily Mirror, United reportedly pulled out of the deal after Moura asked the club to pay an extra £6 million in agency fees and further money for the player's relatives.
Meanwhile, Everton defender Tony Hibbert believes Rooney could end his career at Goodison Park. "I think it is possible," Hibbert said. "If Wayne wants it, then I think the club would be stupid not to welcome him back. I think there would be a few moans but for us to get a player like Wayne Rooney, who is still a massive Evertonian, like all his family, would be fantastic."
Hibbert will play his testimonial match against AEK Athens on Wednesday, and revealed Rooney, who moved from Everton to Manchester United in 2004, had asked if he could be a part of the game. The United forward, however, was disappointed when he found out he would have to miss the match, due to the Red Devils playing Barcelona in their last pre-season friendly. "It was great that he asked me but it just worked out that Manchester United also have a game and he was quite upset when he realised," Hibbert said.
"It says everything about Wayne that he was willing to do that. He probably would have got a bad reception but he is not fazed about that. He loves Everton. Deep down he is still an Evertonian.
"I know for a fact that he still goes to games. He will do anything for Everton. It was a great honour for me that he wanted to play in the game. I was surprised when he asked whether he could play and if I would like him to. I jumped at the chance but obviously he has other commitments."
