Cruzeiro director of football Alexandre Mattos has revealed that an unnamed English club have had a bid rejected for attacking midfielder Everton Ribeiro.
The 24-year-old, who was voted the best player in the Campeonato Brasileiro last season, has been the subject of reported interest from Manchester United in recent weeks.
"An offer from England arrived yesterday and Cruzeiro turned it down immediately," the Daily Star quotes Mattos as saying.
"Maybe an offer will come that will make Cruzeiro understand it would be a mistake not sell, but the important thing is knowing how to find a replacement of the same level."
The player's agent, Robson Ferreira, refused to name the club in question, although he added that negotiations are ongoing.
"We did bring a €10m (£8.3m) offer to Cruzeiro for Everton Ribeiro, but we won't reveal the club in order not to affect the negotiations, after all they are in the middle of their season," he is quoted as saying.
"We presented the offer to Cruzeiro, we talked and we will schedule another meeting within the next days.
"The club want to keep him and the player also wants to help the club in the Copa Libertadores. We'll try to merge all the interests."
The former Corinthian youth player joined Cruzeiro from Coritiba last year.
Michael Penkman
