Manchester United must pay £34m for Lucas

Sao Paulo have moved the goalposts again to further send Lucas Moura's protracted move to Manchester United into doubt after reports emerged the Brazilian club will increase their asking price.

Lucas is regarded as one of the most promising young prospects to emerge from Brazilian football in a number of years, and the 19-year-old has been heavily linked with both United and Inter Milan.

Sir Alex Ferguson is reported to have sent his chief scout Jim Lawlor to Brazil last week in the hope of pushing through a deal to bring Lucas to Old Trafford, but this has hit an apparent snag.

According to the Daily Mail, Sao Paulo had initially requested Manchester United pay £30 million for Lucas, but this figure could now rise by a further £4 million due to a contractual stipulation.

The attacking midfielder currently stands to ear 20 percent of his transfer fee but, as of August 1, this will rise to 30 percent and Sao Paulo are aware they may have to increase their demands to compensate for such an eventuality.