Luigi: If Manchester United want Leandro Damião then they must pay his buyout fee

The 23-year-old, who helped Brazil win silver at the Olympics in London, was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window but Inter turned down a reported £20 million bid from the north London side.

Luigi has previously revealed that Damião has a £47million buyout clause in his deal at Internacional, where he is contracted until July 2016.

Reports in England, though, are now claiming that Manchester United are considering a January move for the highly-rated striker, but Luigi has warned the Premier League side that they must make contact with Inter first.

He told Zero Hora: ''We aren't talking about a small team. We are talking about Internacional. They (Manchester United) have to talk with Internacional, not with the player.

''If Manchester United came here today, I would ask them to pay his buyout fee. They have to know that Internacional are a big club.

''Now, Leandro Damião only leaves if the buyout fee is paid.''