Man Utd to splash £30m for Brazil starlet Moura

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to splash the cash for new blood after its owners decided to cut its debt with a New York flotation that should free up funds for top players after a barren season. Fergusont wants to make Brazil's next big thing - Sao Paulo starlet Lucas Moura - his big summer signing, the Mirror (http://bit.ly/M6FV3t) reported in an exclusive. The Scot has sent a delegation headed by chief scout Jim Lawlor to thrash out a deal for the 19-year-old, who is also wanted by Chelsea and Real Madrid. He is also chasing Porto duo James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho after Spurs raised the price for Croatia playmaker Luka Modric. Fans are hoping the flotation will help the club get back to its previous dominant form. "If it turns out that the vast majority of the proceeds are used to pay off the debt that is certainly something MUST would welcome and entirely vindicates our longstanding position that their debt was damaging our club," said Duncan Drasdo, head of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST), a lobby group. United lost their league crown to City in May. They also made an early exit from the European Champions' League, denting earnings in a first trophyless season since 2005. Ferguson is pleading with United's owners, the Glazer family, to spend up to £30 million on Moura who now tops his summer hit-list. United have been on the Moura's trail for months and invited his father to Old Trafford for talks, the Mirror revealed in April. Now, they have gone to Brazil in a bid to seal the massive transfer. Moura, who has already capped by his country, is valued at £35m by Sao Paolo, but United are looking at ways of bringing down the price while also winning over the player and his loved ones. Chelsea have had a bid for Moura turned down, while Spanish champions Real are already in talks with his camp. Moura is a small but super-skilled attacking midfielder who made his debut as a 17-year-old and has now played 80 times for Sao Paolo.