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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to The Daily Mail, Manchester United would like Juventus to include winger Douglas Costa as part of a swap deal with Romelu Lukaku.

What's the word?

Reports in recent weeks have claimed that Lukaku is set for an exit from Old Trafford this summer, and that Inter were in pole position for the Belgium international's signature.

However, The Daily Mail claim that Juventus are very much interested in battling their Serie A rivals for Lukaku. The report adds that following suggestions that Paulo Dybala was reluctant to be involved in such a deal, United have turned their attentions towards his teammate Costa.

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It further suggests that whilst the Brazilian is similarly hesitant to leave the Bianconeri, he could have his "head turned by the star-billing United are willing to afford him".

A star winger

In his time playing for many of European football's biggest sides, including Bayern Munich and Juventus, Costa has proven himself adept at performing on the big stage - he has grabbed 61 goals and 89 assists in his career so far.

The Brazilian has in general struggled to nail down a first-team spot since leaving Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk though, but has always offered glimpses of the incredible qualities he has to offer.

The 28-year-old is pacy and direct with incredible dribbling, and would offer United something that they sorely lack; a left-footed winger cutting in from the right-hand side. Mason Greenwood has shown promise of potentially filling that role, but is still raw, untapped potential at this stage in his career. Costa however, would give United a Champions League-quality wide-man.

Despite featuring so little for Juventus last season, Costa still managed relatively decent numbers. In the league, the 28-year-old averaged 1.8 dribbles and 1.2 shots per game, and offered the Old Lady something different in games with his one-on-one ability. Signing for United would give the Red Devils a genuine game-changer, who simply needs an opportunity to revive his career.

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