Man Utd join Thiago Maia chase

Manchester United are the latest to express interest in signing Santos midfielder Thiago Maia. The Brazilian teenager is also on the radar of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

Maia, 19, has been a key performer for Brazil through the youth levels, and was recently part of the Olympic side that won the gold medal on home soil in the summer.

French champions Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as favourites to pursue the youngster over the past month with Chelsea being just behind them, but according to ESPN Brazil, it is United, who are the leading candidates to sign the midfield anchorman in the New Year.

Santos currently value their player at around £17m and Jose Mourinho would be willing to pay the entire sum as he bids to strengthen his options at the heart of the midfield.

The arrival of Maia is likely to ease United's decision to sell Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger in the winter transfer window.