Everton Ribeiro isn't a name usually in the Manchester United rumour mill, the Cruzeiro box of tricks is 24 years old and though he's been linked with a move to Europe several times, nothing has really come of it. The usually reliable
Lancenet in Brazil claimed this weekend that Manchester United had sent someone to Brazil to watch the player recently and are interested in signing him.
Lancenet say that before making an official offer to his club, Manchester United want to make sure they'd be able to get a work permit. Ribeiro doesn't play for the Brazil national team and would therefore have to be allowed a permit on a special case, with Manchester United having to put an argument forward that he's worthy of one. The Brazilian outlet say that Ribeiro's involvement with the national U20 team, when he was a left back, will help such a case.
If successful, Lancenet reckon Ribeiro would cost Manchester United around €8m, he's not the big money signing many fans of the club expect. He can play on either wing but also through the middle and has played in defence previously. He's been linked with moves to China, Russia and Qatar but his agent Robson Ferreira told Lancenet that he only wants the player to move to a big European club.
By some remarkable coincidence and convenience,
Ribeiro spoke to Brazilian TV last week and said that a move to a big club was a dream for him, specifically mentioning Manchester United "I will continue doing my job here at Cruzeiro but plan on getting to a big club. It's a dream I've had since young, I've always liked Manchester United."
The winger clearly fancies the move and if Lancenet are correct then so do Manchester United. Aside from the work permit, a problem could his ownership. Cruzeiro only own 60% of his rights, the rest held by a company owned by his agent.
