Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Manchester United are in talks to sign Brazil international Lucas Moura from Sao Paulo.
The likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan have been linked with the 19-year-old midfielder, but United have moved into pole position in recent weeks.
Reports have claimed a deal worth around £26million had been agreed, but Ferguson insists this is not the case.
But for the first time he has confirmed he wants to sign the youngster, who has 11 caps for Brazil to his name.
"We haven't reached an agreement," said Ferguson from China, where United are on the latest leg of their pre-season tour.
"We've shown interest. Until such time we reach an agreement we can't say he's ours."
Lucas is currently in England with the Brazil Olympic squad, and played the final 22 minutes of Friday night's 2-0 win over Team GB at the Riverside Stadium as a replacement for Chelsea-bound Oscar.
Ferguson admitted the teenager is one of a series of potential targets this summer, and insisted that efforts to strengthen his United team are ongoing.
He said: "We've signed two players in the summer: [Shinji] Kagawa and [Nick] Powell. We think they both have fantastic potential.
"At this moment, we're looking at other options in terms of bringing other players in.
"We're not lying on our backsides doing nothing. We're trying hard to bring other players to the club."
