Manchester United are in talks to sign Brazil midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk in a £52.5million deal.
It follows confirmation that United have made the first move towards bringing in Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham.
Manager Jose Mourinho wants to tie up both deals before Fred and Alderweireld join up with their respective national teams for this summer's World Cup in Russia.
Mourinho has identified Fred as the defensive midfielder he feels United are missing, and it's understood the two clubs are close to striking a deal worth £43m plus add-ons. The 25-year-old Brazilian has made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League, and Shakhtar have already lined up a replacement by agreeing to sign Maycon from Corinthians for £5m.
Fred looked set to join Manchester City in the January transfer window before United made their interest known and the price began to rise. Fearing a repeat of the Alexis Sanchez auction, City walked away from the deal and switched their sights to Jorginho of Napoli.
The former Internacional player, who has seven caps for Brazil, is one of two midfielders wanted by Mourinho this summer. The United boss also wants as many as four defenders, but may have to be satisfied with two.
Alderweireld has been identified as the central defender United require to play the ball out from the back, although Spurs will demand up to £75m for the a player who will be 30 when his contract runs out in a year's time.
News that United have made a formal inquiry for the talented Belgian will place a question mark over the future of all four centre-backs in Mourinho's squad – Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof – with at least of them set to be offloaded this summer.
The Portuguese coach also wants to strengthen at left-back and right-back, but may have to focus on the latter. United have been linked with Sime Vrsaljko, of Atletico Madrid, Monaco's Djibril Sidibe, and Joao Cancelo, who has been on loan at Inter Milan from Valencia.
Itzmichaell
0
Man U is closing in on everyone
doycdopuz
0
is not the real Fred
EZEUDO
2
writer this is wrong picture this is not the fred United want to sign
Tuhiprs
0
I was shocked,this Fred who disgraced Brazil in 2013.
montestiokah
0
it won't be a bad signing
LestarCestar30
1
Please it is not dis Fred,update de pixes!!
joebikpsy
1
he isn't shakhter Donetsk's Fred..... wrong picture
Patikmnst
1
think Jose should also go for rabiot of psg cos that lad over is exceptionally good player...
Wicbeikpr
0
Fred we need u up united
Dohbcmpty
1
don't give united fans heart attack...this fred is deadly
SteveROC27
0
Wrong Fred pictured.
Jayed_Hossain
1
You are giving us information.. but when u will do mistake its looks odd. This fred is not that one.
CassianCaesar2
0
Not that one
sandy61806
0
hala madrid
فسحةلثقافة
0
Wonderful and very distinctive 😉😊
zapbrs
1
when i first seen this picture i was shocked to imagine Man United spending so money for that 2014 world cup flop
Lml
0
Not this Fred 😁😁😁
Montuy
1
Brazil4Ever
2
That Fred plays in Brazilian league for Cruzeiro ..
Gündoğan
0
lmfao!!! that ain't no fred!!!!
RishiNair16890
2
wrong picture of Fred..
themightyone
2
wrong fred
NikumSangha
2
Fucj is that photo ?
tubail
0
I continued to say this Eric Bailey is not qualify to wear Manchester United jersey Trust me try to offload all other defenders expect for Chris Smalling and Valencia who is Eric Bailey to play central defence for man utd Eric is very much inexperience
RIP inglis
GENIUS86
0
Mourinho might as well sign every damn player at this point
yaz50
0
It will be a good add up
mabbdimost
0
I continued to say this Eric Bailey is not qualify to wear Manchester United jersey Trust me try to offload all other defenders expect for Chris Smalling and Valencia who is Eric Bailey to play central defence for man utd Eric is very much inexperience
edwardbuadu
1
Oh what a miss up? that picture of Fred is not Fred of Shalkar.
edwardbuadu
1
In order to take penalty successfully, you have to calm down your nerves by breathing in and out for a few seconds,close your eyes for some seconds,get focusing and believe that you have already scored.
Misdeipuy
2
Lol, this is not the right Fred.
truegreen
2
that's not the right Brazilian Fred
ciwdlnosyz
1
with a few exceptions,players with their first Christian name as their Jersey names usually flop
sheeji
0
a total flop.I don't know what utd manager is thinking about'?
iamgrown24
2
I'm tired of Man Utd. they are bidding for my grandma
bidcinuz
2
this is not the fred
vaybdelory
0
25-year-old Brazilian has made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League, and Shakhtar have already lined up a replacement by agreeing to sign Maycon from Corinthians for £5m. Business mindset
memcdloty
0
HE will be the best to hold the force and pressure of the premi
veadnoptuy
1
40m for alderwield no less no more
vezcnor
1
your picture has wrong Fred in it lmao
MoProBro
0
Good deal, but i guess there's a bit of misplacement of picture here, below is the actual Fred in question . He's undergoing medicals now. welcome to Man Utd Fred.
[image]
Is he actually going under medical for united?
MAHMOUDJo87
2
LOL you show FRED Cruzeiro player porn (1983) not the one we talk about porn (1993)
anthonybawahlemissah
0
can't mourinho play both baily and linderof together since he wants to play from the bank besides that Tottenham player is aging
Cekabmpsy
1
man should sell lukaku buy better once
zeoabilmyz
2
Good deal, but i guess there's a bit of misplacement of picture here, below is the actual Fred in question . He's undergoing medicals now. welcome to Man Utd Fred.
lawrencium103
2
That picture is d old Brazil Fred who is a striker and the one man u wants to buy is a defensive mid fielder.
PavasDwivedi
1
the picture is fred the striker not fred the midfielder,i think
Correct 👍🏻
Salvationchurch
1
Man utd means Fred is better than lukaku...
vibstyz
2
the picture is fred the striker not fred the midfielder,i think
basically
1
Good business at that price
Gloriouser
2
Manchester clubs and going after each other’s transfer targets. Name a more iconic duo, I’ll wait.