According to the Daily Star, Manchester United are still hopeful of signing Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred before the end of the January transfer window.
The 24-year-old, who joined the Ukrainian side from Internacional in 2013, has been linked with both United and fierce rivals Manchester City, with Arsenal and Tottenham also reported to be suitors.
City manager Pep Guardiola recently admitted the Sky Blues can’t compete financially with United, but they are still in the running for Fred. The Brazilian international has made 142 appearances for Shakhtar in the last five years, and the Daily Star say he could set clubs back around £50m.
The midfielder has been a regular in the Shakhtar side, making 24 appearances in all competitions this season, and would bring a lot to United’s engine room. Fred’s a combative player, as well as boasting fantastic box-to-box abilities, and will also provide an assured head in the middle of the park.
He won’t come cheap, but the Red Devils are in need of midfield reinforcement. Michael Carrick will retire at the end of the season, while Marouane Fellaini’s yet to sign a new deal – his contract is up in the summer.
Time is running out for United to agree terms with Fred, with the window closing on Thursday, so there could be some movement in the coming week.
