Manchester United's interest in Gremio star Douglas Costa has been confirmed.

Brazilian businessman Fernando Cesar - who claims to be an intermediary working with United - says their interest is genuine.

"I actually asked him [United scout Jaap Stam] to see all the players, among them Douglas Costa - I said he was an interesting player and he could see that for himself, but the interest of Manchester in Douglas is a natural thing," he told the Brazilian media.