Atletico Madrid have sparked a bidding war after telling defender Miranda he can leave the club this summer.
Manchester United and Barcelona are leading the chase for the Brazilian, full name Joao Miranda de Souza Filho. Chelsea are rumoured to be keeping an eye on the situation. He was on the standby list for Brazil’s World Cup squad.
It will take a sizeable amount to sign the player, there is a buy out clause of £23M, a rather large fee for a player approaching his thirties.
Reports indicate Miranda is unhappy at Atletico due to his team mates leaving, including Diego Costs to Chelsea. Barcelona see him as a possible partner for Jeremy Mathieu at the Nou Camp.
Manchester United are short of defensive cover after selling Nemanja Vidic to Inter Milan and releasing Rio Ferdinand, so may make a move.
Chelsea are unlikely to make a move due to a surplus of central defenders.
Steve Osborne
