Maxi's Spurs bid failure edges Argentine wonderkid Eduardo Salvio towards Manchester United
Atletico Madrid fear Manchester United could beat them to the signing of Argentine wonderkid Eduardo Salvio.
The Spanish club had made the 19-year-old (right) their No 1 summer target but have failed to raise the ￡10million starting price that Buenos Aires-based club Lanus are seeking.
Atleti's efforts to sell Maxi Rodriguez to Tottenham Hotspur have stalled with Salvio's agent Agustin Jimenez arriving in Europe this weekend to talk to suitors.
The diminutive striker, who also plays on the right wing, is set to leave his homeland after impressing in Lanus's march to third place in the championship, which finished last weekend.
He is thought to favour Italy, but his agent intends to talk to United as well as AC Milan and Juventus. Napoli and Roma have also shown an interest.
With his skills and versatility, there are bound to be comparisons with a young Cristiano Ronaldo, who left United for Real Madrid in an ￡80million deal this summer.
Atletico are also trying to offload Simao Sabrosa, but are already looking at alternatives to Salvio, including Getafe's Manu del Moral, Zaragoza's Angel Lafita or retaining former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes.
