Manchester United to miss out on Juan Quintero

Manchester United are to miss out on the signing of Colombian whizkid Juan Quintero according to reports.

At the beginning of last month shortly before Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement, Manchester United were linked with the signing of Juan Quintero.

The 20-year-old Colombian attacker had been making his name known in Serie A, after impressing on loan with Pescara.

He remained contracted to Atletico Nacional in his homeland, and had caught the eye at the FIFA Under-20 South American Youth Championships in January where he scored five goals and created four.

But his name appears to have slipped off Manchester United's agenda, if it were even truly on it, as reports have emerged claiming he has sealed a transfer to Italy.

Sky Italia reported late on Tuesday that two clubs, Genoa and Pescara have sealed a co-ownership deal for his services, worth €5 million.

He will play his football with Genoa next season, who will have the option to buy out the second half of his contract from Pescara at a later date, or when he is sold for a profit both clubs will cut a share.

Genoa remain in Serie A, while Pescara, who Quintero was playing with, were relegated to Serie B.

The transfer allows him to continue his development in Italy's top flight, where he had also courted attention from Inter Milan, Juventus and Roma among others. Portuguese sides were also said to be interested.

Quintero could just prove to be a bargain for the rumoured price, and Manchester United fans will have to hope they have not missed out on buying the next superstar at a cut price.