Transfer Speculation

Sir Alex Ferguson faces more obstacles in his quest to sign Douglas Costa, with German giants Bayern Munich now entering the race.

Earlier in the week, United had asked Brazilian club Gremio to allow the 18-year-old Costa to undergo a trial at Old Trafford, but the request was turned down flat with Gremio reportedly unwilling to sell Costa unless a club coughs up his 24 million euro buy-out clause.

With Sir Alex Ferguson unlikely to offer such a large amount of money for a teenager, they now face more troubles with claims that Bayern have now entered the picture.

According to English webste Sport.co.uk the German club's interest was confirmed by Costa's agent, Cesar Bottega, who said, "There was an approach from a big German club.

"They saw him at the South American Youth Championship and liked the player. There have been talks and we will see what happens in the next week."

United continue to be linked with Bayern Munich's own Franck Ribery despite Bayern's repeated insistence that the French international is not for sale.