Manchester United are moving closer to signing Douglas Costa, the highly rated Brazil Under-20 midfield player, from Grêmio.

The Brazilian club are holding out for about £20 million — close to the release clause stated in the player’s contract — but United are reluctant to pay that much and hope that a compromise can be reached shortly.

United initially wanted to take Douglas, 18, on a three-week trial, but while that request was rejected by Grêmio, negotiations over a permanent deal are continuing.

Douglas would be United’s fourth signing of the summer after Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan, with senior sources at the club insisting that they have no interest in buying Samuel Eto’o, the Barcelona striker.

Decent bets

Leeds United have put an £8 million valuation on Fabian Delph after turning down an offer from Aston Villa. Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham have also inquired about the midfield player.

Paulo da Silva, a defender who plays for Deportivo Toluca, the Mexican club, is expected to sign a contract with Sunderland today and the Wearside club have increased their offer to about £6 million for Lee Cattermole, the Wigan Athletic midfield player.

Sammy Clingan and Darel Russell were left out of Norwich City’s tour to Scotland after being the subject of interest from other teams. Clingan, the midfield player, has been linked with Cardiff City and Leicester City. Russell has been linked with Preston North End. Derby County have offered trials to Patrick Kisnorbo, the defender who was released by Leicester, and Saul Deeney, the former Burton Albion goalkeeper.

Dead cert

Bolton Wanderers have signed Paul Robinson on loan for the season from West Bromwich Albion, after the clubs failed to reach an agreement on a transfer fee. West Brom wanted £1 million for the permanent transfer of the 30-year-old left back, double the fee offered by Bolton.

Long shots

Sunderland have been linked with Efstathios Tavlaridis, the Saint-Étienne defender who failed to break into the Arsenal team in 2001.