Manchester United are expected to make a bid for Brazilian midfielder Thiago Maia in June, Sport Witness understands. Sources from Santos FC say the club have been informed that three foreign sides have interest in landing the player next summer.

Atlético Madrid and another unnamed club are also expected to make an offer for the 18-year-old.

After deciding that the player is likely to be sold in the summer, DLX Sports Agency have filed an urgent legal action in Brazil, asking for 28% of a possible sale. The company claim to be responsible for taking Thiago Maia to Santos when he was 14. This information was also confirmed by ESPN on Wednesday. 

We’ve contacted Thiago Maia’s representation to confirm the European interest in the player. Alexis Malavolta, one of the agents for Figer Group, told Sport Witness: "When there were six months left to the end of our client Thiago Maia’s contract (the deal was set to end in December), we had official bids from Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Monaco and Arsenal. He chose to renew it and he’s very happy at Santos.

"Currently there are many clubs from Germany, Italy, England and Spain coming to Brazil to watch Santos games and especially see our client’s development. Now with the call up to the Olympic team, the interest from more clubs grows because of the visibility. We believe he will get to the national team soon.

“Manchester United is a club which needs no comments. I read in websites, newspapers and receive calls about these clubs, that also United and Chelsea are monitoring them to buy him. For now, no official interest or official bids have come. But if they come, I’m sure Thiago Maia will analyse it very carefully."

Thiago Maia has been a regular starter for Santos since last year. He’s box-to-box midfielder, with good passing, dribbling and creative skills. He signed a new contract with Santos last October, which commits him to the club until 2019, and he has a €50m release clause.

Lucas Sposito. 

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