The Bianconeri want to sign a right-sided outside forward when the transfer window opens, but the Premier League champions won’t entertain a temporary deal.
EXCLUSIVE
By Carlo Garganese and Romeo Agresti
Manchester United are ready to reject a fresh Juventus approach for their out-of-favour winger Nani.
The Italian champions are preparing a loan offer for the 27-year-old but Goal understands that the Red Devils will not let the Portugal international leave on a temporary basis.
Despite topping Serie A, Juve coach Antonio Conte is unhappy with his preferred 3-5-2 formation and wishes to permanently switch to a 4-3-3 system by signing a right-sided outside forward.
Having been linked with Parma wideman Jonathan Biabiany and PSG’s Jeremy Menez, Goal can confirm that the Bianconeri are readying a six-month loan offer for Nani.
The Turin outfit are willing to match the player’s United salary of £95,000 (€114,000) a week until the end of the season and secure an option to make the transfer permanent in June.
Publicly, United have no intention of selling Nani but, privately, could be tempted if Juventus tabled a big-money transfer bid. A loan offer is unlikely to be entertained.
Conte has long been an admirer of the Seleccao star and in one of his first press conferences as coach in 2011 bemoaned the fact that Juventus “don’t possess a player like Carlos Tevez, Theo Walcott or Nani.”
Tevez eventually joined the Bianconeri this summer from Manchester City, and Conte has now set his sights on Nani from The Citizens’ cross-town rivals.
The Cape Verde-born attacker arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting in 2007, but has struggled for form, fitness and game time over the last 18 months and was even booed by his own fans during the home game against Stoke last month.
Nani only extended his United contract until 2018 in September and cited new boss David Moyes as a key reason for him inking a new deal.
“This summer was not easy but after a lot of thought and talking to David Moyes I believe it [signing a new contract] was the best solution,” he explained.
“I feel I can offer many things to United. I had other important offers yet without a sufficient challenge to make me want to leave United.”
Nani scored his first goal of 2013-14 during United’s 5-0 Champions League thrashing of Leverkusen in midweek but has played just three league games this term.
However, with Wilfried Zaha likely to go out on loan in January, the English champions won’t be easily convinced to sell the Portuguese, whose attitude and professionalism has been exceptional this season.
Source: Goal.com