Manchester United reportedly exercise their option to sign 17-year-old Lucas Evangelista

It appears that Manchester United have exercised their option to sign 17-year-old Brazilian midfielder Lucas Evangelista from Desportivo Brasil. The youngster is scouted to have good technical ability, physical strength, and versatility. Thus, he's described as a player that has enough creative ability to play as an attacking-midfielder while also having the work-rate and awareness to be deployed as a defensive-midfielder. Since Evangelista is only 17, he will need to wait until next February -- when he turns 18 -- in order to formally sign a professional contract with United. This appears to be somewhat similar to the situation when an agreement had been in place for both Rafael and Fabio with Fluminese when the twins were just 17. They were unable to play in matches for United until they turned 18.

Evangelista, along with fellow Desportivo Brasil teammates Bruno Gomes and Aguilar, have recently been invited to United for a trial. The Brazilian club has a relationship with United in which the English giants have pre-contract agreements with numerous youth players. Evangelista is a player United apparently valued enough to exercise their option on to buy. This relationship between the two clubs is mutually beneficial as it allows United to sign promising young talent before they blossom and become noticed more. Thus, larger transfer fees can be avoided. Desportivo Brasil's ambition is to make money by selling their best talent. Third parties are often involved as well as they can retain part of the sell-on clause.

One possible hold-up on Evangelista's move to Old Trafford could be if he has issues obtaining a work-permit in the U.K. The youngster obviously isn't a regular on the Brazilian national team so a move to a United feeder club -- such as FC Twente in Holland or Royal Antwerp FC in Belgium -- may be required.