Manchester Utd. Fails With $47 Million Moura Bid: Soccer Roundup

The following is a roundup of soccer stories from U.K. newspapers, with clickable Internet links.

Bid Rejected

Lucas Moura

Manchester United had a bid of 29.8 million pounds ($47 million) for Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura rejected by the Brazilian club, the Daily Mirror reported.

Sao Paulo, which also turned down United’s opening bid of 25.9 million pounds, is currently without a sponsor and wants to keep hold of the 19-year-old attacking midfielder to attract outside investment, the newspaper added.

Oscar’s Medical

Oscar

Oscar, another Brazilian midfielder, had a medical in London yesterday ahead of his 25 million-pound transfer to Chelsea, the Daily Mail reported.

The 20-year-old will join the European champion from Internacional after playing for Brazil’s Olympic squad at the London Games, the Mail added.

Carroll Can Go

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has been told he can leave, with his former club Newcastle preparing a new bid of 16 million pounds, the Sun reported.

Carroll’s advisers spoke with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers yesterday, who told them the England forward is not part of his plans, the newspaper added.

Dempsey Deal

Rodgers has agreed to spend 10 million pounds to sign U.S. forward Clint Dempsey from Fulham, the Mail reported.

Dempsey, 29, is due on Merseyside in the next few days and Rodgers expects the deal to be concluded before the end of the week, the newspaper added.

Walcott’s Contract

Arsenal is yet to open contract talks with Theo Walcott even though the England winger could leave as a free agent next year, the Guardian reported.

Walcott’s deal expires June 30, 2013, and were he to leave on a free transfer Arsenal wouldn’t be entitled to receive anything in development costs because he would be too old, the Guardian said. Manager Arsene Wenger will try to talk to Walcott on the club’s pre-season tour to Asia, it added.

Formal Talks

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie is set for formal talks with Wenger as he considers his options away from the Gunners, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The Netherlands striker, whose participation in the Asia tour is still undecided, is interested in joining Juventus or Manchester United, the Telegraph said, adding that Manchester City is preparing a 20 million-pound bid for the player.

Bloomberg