European giants Real Madrid and Liverpool have both been linked with a move for Cruzeiro striker Marcelo Moreno in a report in the Brazilian press.
Moreno, 20, has enjoyed an excellent start to 2008, scoring ten goals in fourteen games and has impressed onlookers with his performances in Cruzeiro's splendid Copa Libertadores displays as well as in their games at Brazilian state level in the Mineiro.His form has attracted the attention of two of Europe's biggest clubs in Real Madrid and Liverpool, with both said to be ready to make a move in the coming weeks in order to tie up the Bolivian international's signature in time for next season.
The striker took a professional approach when asked about the rumoured interest after training on Wednesday and dismissed any knowledge of their interest.
"I do not know anything about this and if I was to leave Brazil it would have to be a deal that is good for me and for Cruzeiro. My only concern is to continue working hard," he told Placar.
Cruzeiro coach Adílson Batista believes that the speculation surrounding Moreno's future is to be expected considering his current form, but confirmed that the club are yet to receive a concrete approach for the front man.
"I have also heard of other clubs interested in the player, but for the time being nothing is concrete," he affirmed.
"He looks like being an excellent player. Cruzeiro is a shop window, a great school that is currently having a good moment and this type of speculation is normal."
As is often the case in Brazil - and most of South America for that matter - Moreno's economic rights are not solely owned by the club, with a group of entrepreneurs holding 50%, Cruzeiro 40% and the player himself 10%. This could complicate negotiations, with the separate parties likely to be looking for differing outcomes depending on their own priorities.
Real Madrid are set to take up their preferential option on Real Murcia striker Dani Aquino, with a number of top European clubs expressing an interest in the seventeen year old.Aquino bolstered his growing reputation with another good showing in Murcia's victory over Valencia at the weekend and according to a report in the Spanish press, Madrid are ready to make their move now rather than risk losing out to another club.
The player's agent Ginés Carvajal has already received interest from a number of big European clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea from England, and Barcelona, Valencia and Sevilla from inside Spain, and Madris is therefore keen to tie up a deal in the coming weeks.Murcia are aware of the players' value, having recently signed him to his first professional contract, which will run until 2011, but are thought to be consigned by losing Aquino in the summer and will just try to get the best possible deal for the young striker.
Madrid are ready to offer Aquino a long-term contract and would be open to the possibility of loaning him back to Murcia for next season, depending on whether Madrid's B side Castilla are promoted to the Segunda Division.
If they are then Aquino will be placed with the other Madrid youngsters, but if not, the chance to give him regular competitive first team football may be too good to turn down, and there is a feeling within the Madrid camp that allowing Murcia to have the striker back on loan for a season will help push through a quick deal before the other interested parties make their moves.
