Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United are nowhere close to signing wantaway Arsenal forward Robin Van Persie, while hitting out at Paris St-Germain for paying exorbitant sums to land prime target Lucas Moura, with the French club confirming the 19-year-old's signature.
Ferguson revealed his interest in the Gunners striker last month, with several quarters suggesting United were heading the race for the prolific 29-year-old.
However, Arsene Wenger has never sold a player to United during his tenure, and by Ferguson's admissions, it looks like there might not be a change to that in the foreseeable future.
"We have made a bid and they've been trying to negotiate with other clubs," Ferguson said after his team's penalty shootout defeat to Barcelona, following a 0-0 draw in regular time.
"I don't have a gut feeling on it at the moment, I must admit.
"We're not getting any breakthrough with Arsenal. It's difficult to say why they're operating this way.
"I don't know what their thoughts are because they're not giving anything away."
Some rumors suggested on Wednesday, United had indeed made progress and Van Persie could be on his way for a medical at Old Trafford, but Ferguson immediately shot down those reports. "I can't give you any more information," the United manager said. "We just have to persevere.
"We are trying our best and hopefully it will come our way but there's no progress at this moment in time."
This came as a further blow to United fans, as PSG earlier announced the signing of Moura from Sao Paulo for a staggering €45 million (£35.5 million, $55.5 million).
The 19-year-old will remain at the Brazilian club till January, before joining the French side on a four-and-a-half-year deal. "Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo FC have reached today (Wednesday) an agreement for the definitive transfer of Lucas Rodriguez Moura Da Silva," a statement on PSG's official website said.
"The player and Paris Saint-Germain have also signed an agreement from January 2013 to July 2017.
"The player will join Paris Saint-Germain and his new teammates in January 2013 for the second half of the season 2012/2013.
"By signing a young talent of the quality of Lucas Rodriguez Moura Da Silva, Paris Saint-Germain is already preparing the future."
Ferguson, clearly incensed by losing out on another target - the manager is reportedly still unhappy about missing out on Eden Hazard to Chelsea - the Scot hit out at the immense spending. "I find it quite amazing that a club can pay €45 million for a 19-year-old boy," Ferguson said.
"To tell everyone that PSG are here they've signed Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They must have spent about £150 million in the last month. The only deterrent to that is UEFA.
"In the conditions of European football, you don't qualify for Europe by winning the league or coming second - you only get in by invitation. That's where, hopefully, UEFA can have some power.
"When somebody's paying 45 million for a 19-year-old boy you have to say the game's gone mad."
