EXCLUSIVE: United find new Rio... in Rio! Fergie battling Benfica for £15m Dede

By John Edwards

Last updated at 10:55 PM on 2nd March 2012

The boy from Brazil: Defender Dede

Sir Alex Ferguson is on the trail of one of South America's top prospects after receiving glowing form reports on emerging Brazil defender Dede.

Vasco da Gama's 23-year-old prospect hails from the same area of Rio de Janeiro as Manchester United twins Fabio and Rafael and has already been tipped by a rival club's manager to be the cornerstone of Brazil's back line at the next World Cup.

It is understood Ferguson has closely followed his progress in recent weeks and asked former United centre-back and current Brazil talent-spotter Jaap Stam to run the rule over him.

While the United manager considers a bid, he is aware of strong interest from Benfica, who are renowned for identifying South American talent at an early stage and have made Dede their top summer target.

Vasco's perilous financial position leaves them vulnerable to offers, and United will be confident of outbidding Benfica, on personal terms as well as an asking price, for a player valued at around £15million.

Non-payment of wages has led to recent threats of a player strike at Vasco, with one of their squad, Bernardo, taking them to a small claims court over lost earnings.

Sources in Rio describe Dede as Brazil's biggest star after Neymar, and he further enhanced his reputation in last month's Taca Guanabara semi-final against Flamengo, when a man-marking job on Vagner Love was seen as crucial to his side's 2-1 win.

Man-marking: Dede was hailed for keeping striker Vagner Love (left) quiet

Fluminense coach Abel Braga looked on, after already booking a place in the final, and was in no doubt the 6ft 3in stopper, who can play centre-half or sweeper, had been the difference between the sides.

'Dede is absurdly talented and will certainly be one of Brazil's centre-backs at the 2014 World Cup,' he said. 'I cannot believe a player comes up against Vagner Love in six or seven one-on-ones and wins the ball every time.

'That is what Dede did. He made 16 tackles overall and not one was a foul. His form at the moment is exceptional.'

Dede made the breakthrough at international level earlier this season and underlined his standing as Brazil's best defender by subduing the threat of Ronaldinho, as well as Love, against Flamengo.

United believe his aerial strength, and tackling ability, would enable him to settle quickly into a defence that needs reinforcing after recent fitness problems for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.