Man United step up efforts to sign £21m Brazilian target, scouts to be sent to Europa League quarter-final clash

Manchester United will scout the Europa League quarter-final clash between Besiktas and Lyon on Thursday.

A source close to Besiktas revealed to Turkish-Football that several scouts will attend the game including from United.

United have been keeping tabs on Talisca and central midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup.

Talisca is on a two-year loan from Benfica but does have a £21 million release fee.

See More: 3 reasons £22m Talisca would be a success at Manchester United

Mourinho is no stranger to Talisca and was full of praise for the attacking midfielder during his time as Chelsea boss.

In fact he predicted the future when he revealed that the only reason Talisca is not playing for a Premier League side is his work permit.

Speaking to Portuguese broadcaster TVI24 [via Daily Mail] in 2014, Mourinho said: “I think Benfica hired well. They say Talisca is unknown, but he is only so unknown because he’s only not playing in England because he doesn’t have a work permit. If he had one, he would be here!”

Portuguese sports newspaper O Jogo claimed that Liverpool had agreed terms to sign Talisca but that the deal fell through as he was unable to gain a work permit.

Besiktas president Fikret Orman has already revealed that he will not be able to activate Talisca’s release fee over the summer.

Talisca put on an impressive display in the first-leg providing the assist for Ryan Babel’s goal in the 2-1 defeat against Lyon.

In total Talisca has scored 11 times and provided six assists in all competitions this season.

Talisca is rated as the fourth best player in the Turkish league – statistically – according to Whoscored.

The Brazilian attacking midfielder is almost certain to start in the return-leg agains Lyon.

Besiktas would book a place in the semi-finals for the first time in history if they find a way past the Ligue 1 outfit.