Cruzeiro defender Dede is thought to be high on the list of transfer targets for Manchester United as they begin to look for a long-term successor to captain Nemanja Vidic.
The 25 year-old, who won the Campeonato Brasileiro in his first season with the Belo Horizonte-based club, has long been touted as a player who could force his way into Luiz Felipe Scolari’s World Cup squad and would cost up to £12 million.
With January being a notoriously tricky time for European clubs to do business, but with the clamour for United’s David Moyes to act regardless, Dede would seem to be both affordable and available.
Fellow English side Chelsea have been credited with an interest to fill the gap an ageing and inconsistent defence.
