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Udinese move for Man Utd trialist Bruno Gomes to replace Liverpool target Luis Muriel
UDINESE are looking to beat Manchester United to the signing of Brazilian teenager Bruno Gomes as a possible replacement for Luis Muriel.
Gomes was widely expected to join the Red Devils when he turned 18, with the striker having a trial at United last season and rumours circulating that he could be included on the club's pre-season tour this summer.
But while Sir Alex Ferguson was a known admirer of Gomes, it seems that David Moyes is less convinced, despite United holding first refusal over the youngster thanks to a link-up with the player's current club Desportivo Brazil.
Importantly though, United's rights to sign Gomes do not apply if Desportivo receive a bid above a certain level.
And according to reports in Italy, Udinese are now willing to pay whatever it takes to sign Gomes after United failed to act on their interest.
Udinese have a good reputation for nurturing talent and, having lost Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona in 2011, could now be chasing Gomes as a replacement for Colombian hit man Luis Muriel.
Muriel was linked with a summer move to Liverpool when it looked as though Luis Suarez could leave the club, and Udinese appear to have accepted that the 22-year-old will leave the Zebrette in the near future.
Only time will tell whether United's hesitation over Gomes could end up facilitating a move to Liverpool for Muriel.