THE £7 MILLION transfer of unheralded 19-year-old winger Bébé from Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães to Manchester United in the summer of 2010 has long been the subject of speculation on the part of English football fans.
It’s only now, however, that it’s receiving closer inspection; courtesy of an investigation by Portuguese police.
United manager Alex Ferguson authorised the transfer of the teenager, whose professional experience at the time extended no further than the Portuguese second division, solely on the recommendation of former assistant coach Carlos Queiros.
The anomalous size of the transfer fee and the presence of the saga’s chief protagonists, Bébé and Queiros, on the client list of agent Jorges Medes triggered an intense, if short-lived, wave of media speculation regarding possible malfeasance.
Two years removed from the transfer, it has emerged that Portguese police are investigating the disappearance of nearly£3 million from the final payment.
Responding to a request for information from the Guardian, a spokesperson for United refused to comment, saying only:
“There is no need to comment at this stage because no one is alleging any wrongdoing by us.”
Suspicion at this point falls on Mendes, who is alleged to have claimed a payment approximate to that currently unaccounted for.
Bébé made a total of five appearances for the Manchester club before being released on loan. He is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained while playing for Turkish side Besiktas.
Congratulations on all involved in getting this event to come to the island of Ireland.
Mind you it will be like being in Amsterdam while they are here with all the people on drugs cycling around.
Stupid comment from you!!
Absolsolutely stupid. You could have at least had some credibility had hinted at a McQuaid conspiracy!
looking forward to it already. Sprinter stages though by the look of #2 and #3. Won’t suit our boys for a stage win unfortunately.
what are the logistics involved in smuggling the drugs they use in professional cycling into the country?
10 years too late bandwagoner
Can’t wait for this!
Genuine question, is Darach McQuaid related to Pat McQuaid?
Dunno mate.
Younger bro.
I.blame lance Armstrong
Mind the bike
So stage 2 is Belfast to Belfast 218km , cycling in a big circle I assume and then magically appear in Armagh the following day? Must be some drugs their on!
Trudy the big tours rarely start from where the finished the previous day.
Nibili did not win this years Giro so cannot defend the Rosa jersey,Chris Horner of RadioShack won it.
Sorry in fact I got the tours mixed up :-(
Ah Paul,shame on you not knowing that information, but then your new to cycling eh:)
He Didnt he won the vuelta tour of spain