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.