Flamengo attacking midfielder Mattheus Bebeto is on the verge of sealing a move to Italian Serie A champions Juventus, Sky Sports understands.
Mattheus, 18, is the son of Brazilian legend Bebeto and was the subject of his father’s infamous goal celebration at the 1994 World Cup.
The Brazil Under-20 international has made just a handful of appearances for O mais querido do Brasil since breaking into the first-team in 2012, but Juve like what they have seen from the youngster.
According to reports in Italy, the Old Lady have offered the 18-year-old a five-year deal, which will be finalised in the next few days.
The future of Juventus’ midfield, featuring the likes of Gabriel Appelt Pires, who is currently on loan at Serie B side F.C. Pro Vercelli 1892, Paul Pogba and Bebeto, looks really bright at the moment.
“Everything is going okay,” Mattheus’ agent Vantuil Rodrigues told Lancenet.
“The last details have been agreed. Only some paperwork is needed to make the negotiations official – the fees and the contract length have been agreed.
“The paperwork should arrive any day now and, when that happens, Mattheus will travel to Italy to undergo a medical.”
Sir Alex rues missing out on Bale
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he rues the Red Devils’ failure to sign Gareth Bale as a teenager from Southampton, Sky Sports reports.
Bale, 23, was named the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year last month. He also won the Football Writers’ award.
Sir Alex admits he was let down by the Saints’ transfer policy after United tried to sign in the player in the summer of 2007.
In May 2007, shortly after United contacted Southampton about Bale, the Welshman joined Tottenham Hotspur for an initial transfer fee of £5 million, which eventually rose to £7 million based on appearances and ‘success.’
“We were disappointed in Southampton at the time because we were first there, but they never came back to us,” Ferguson told The Telegraph.
“It was not the boy who turned us down, it was Southampton, then a few weeks later he signed for Tottenham Hotspur.
“He was a left-back when we tried to sign him. It wasn’t until Harry [Redknapp] went to Tottenham that he converted him into a wide left player.
“He reminds me a bit of when we signed Lee Sharpe. He was a six foot, gangly, slim boy, but all of a sudden. He was built like a light heavyweight boxer.
“Bale is the same in the way he has developed in the last two years physically. He has matured very well.”
Bale has bagged 20 goals, including the 86th minute match-winner against his former club Southampton on Saturday, and four assists in 31 English Premier League for Spurs this season.
The Wales international has been linked with a summer exit from White Hart Lane should Spurs fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, with Real Madrid believed to be the favourites to land the 23-year-old.
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