Deal complex - £40m Manchester United target's future discussed by Italian expert

Manchester United's chances of signing Juan Cuadrado have been assessed as unlikely by an Italian football pundit.

Manchester United remain linked with signing Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado but time is running out to close a deal.

The Colombian attacker could complement the addition of Angel di Maria, but do United have the ability to pull off another expensive transfer?

Italian journalist and pundit Enzo Bucchioni has suggested the chances of a transfer is now looking unlikely.

He told Tuttomercato: "Our feeling, and we could be wrong, is that in the end he will stay in Florence. Manchester United took Di Maria, Barcelona has not yet made any offer and Andrea Della Valle has confirmed that it will not sell to anyone for less than 40 million cash.

"It is unlikely that a deal so complex can be completed in a few days, and many are trying to convince Cuadrado that a team like Fiorentina and a city like Florence, where he is the absolute star, will not find the same anywhere else. And the opportunities in the future will still come again."

Cuadrado said last week he had no idea where he would be playing from next month, and he could have an anxious wait to try to secure a dream move between now and September 1.

Fiorentina's tactic to try to convince him by reminding him he will not be the big star of the side if he moves is an interesting one, but not one which may necessarily work.

For Colombia during the World Cup, Cuadrado shone and received acclaim despite teammate James Rodriguez attracting most of the headlines.

A deal may seem complex, but it actually seems rather simple - for Barcelona and Manchester United, the message is pay up, or miss out.