Brazil superstar could become latest Manchester United recruit

Manchester United sealed arguably the summer’s biggest deal last week, and could now bring Kaka to Old Trafford in addition to Robin Van Persie.

The Real Madrid playmaker has long been linked with a switch to England, though United’s rivals Manchester City were thought to have come closest to signing the player in the past.

Now though, as Real prepare for the seemingly imminent arrival of Luka Modric, United appear in pole position to secure the Brazilian’s signature on a temporary basis.

Jose Mourinho is thought to have offered the 30-year-old’s services to Sir Alex Ferguson, preferring that the player move to England rather than Galatasaray or his former club AC Milan.

And whilst persistent injury troubles of the past few years are a point of concern for Ferguson, the Old Trafford boss is said to be giving the move serious consideration.

Amidst aforementioned fitness woes, 2007 World Player of the Year Kaka has been omitted from the Brazilian national squad, whilst he has also fallen down the Bernabeu pecking order recently.

An unused substitute for Real’s La Liga opener against Valencia on Sunday night, Kaka’s first-team opportunities look set to be further limited by Modric’s arrival in Spain.

Therefore, a temporary switch would seem to make sense for all parties, but Ferguson also remains wary of saturating his squad unnecessarily.

Indeed, the Old Trafford chief has already brought in Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa this summer, whilst Paul Scholes also remains an active squad member.

Darren Fletcher’s return to fitness has further swelled United’s midfield ranks, though a deal for Kaka does remain a real possibility.

Wages could prove a stumbling block, with Kaka currently making close to the £250,000 per week that United top earner Wayne Rooney receives via the terms of his Real Madrid contract.

Such a salary could be difficult to justify for an injury-prone performer, but the move would appear more likely to materialise should Dimitar Berbatov exit the club.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.