May 3, 2008 3:54 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Sporting Eye Ramires

News daily A BOLA reports that Sporting are interested in signing Cruzeiro defensive midfielder Ramires, should Miguel Veloso leave the club in the summer.

Ramires, 21, is a Brazilian under-23 international that has impressed for Cruzeiro in Copa Libertadores and is expected to feature for Dunga's squad at the upcoming Olympic Games.

The Portuguese club are reportedly interested in finding a replacement for Miguel Veloso, who will most likely take on a new challenge at the end of the season.

Sporting dispatched scout Paulo Cardoso to watch Ramires in action against San Lorenzo for Copa Libertadores, and he reportedly returned to Portugal with favourable notes on the 21-year-old.

However, it is reported in Portugal that Sporting are baulking at Ramires' price, as Cruzeiro are asking for, at least, a fee of €7 million.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese daily says that there is a lot of demand for the 21-year-old, as CSKA Moscow and Betis have already made enquiries about Ramires.