Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin has claimed that Manchester United are still in the race to sign Fred, also a summer target for Manchester City.
As reported by Daily Mirror, Manchester United have been given hope of stealing a march on neighbours Manchester City in pursuit of Fred. Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin believes the Brazilian will make the switch to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, if he does not join the Premier League leaders.
Fred has seen his stock grow steadily over the last five seasons, having been a mainstay in midfield for Shakhtar Donetsk during this period. Already considered among the best holding midfielders in Europe, the player still has his best years ahead of him, which is why it is unsurprising that two of the biggest clubs in England are after him.
Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly set to go head-to-head for Fred in the summer transfer window, with Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola looking to make reinforcements in midfield in the summer.
At Manchester United, Marouane Fellaini’s imminent departure and Michael Carrick’s impending retirement can potentially leave Mourinho strapped for options in midfield, especially with Ander Herrera’s future up in the air as well.
Fred’s arrival could, thus, help remedy the problem in the short-term while also potentially being the long-term successor to Nemanja Matic who, at 29, is only a short-term holding midfield solution for Manchester United.
Manchester City, on the other hand, could possibly be eyeing Fred as a long-term replacement for his predecessor at Shakhtar – Fernandinho. The Brazilian has been a vital component for the Premier League leaders this season and prior. But, the fact that he will be 33 by the time the season ends means it is imperative for the Citizens to sign a potential successor.
Manchester City are believed to be leading the race to sign the 25-year-old as well, with former Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu claiming that Fred will be on his way to Etihad in the summer. But, club CEO Sergei Palkin has now given Manchester United some hope in the race to sign the player.
“Fred will leave in July. If he does not go to Manchester City, he will go to Manchester United. Fred is ready to play in the strongest league [in Europe]. He is not only a very good player but also a very good professional. I would like him to have one more year in our team, but he is ready for a stronger league.”
The race to sign Fred in the summer seems to be setting up nicely now, and Manchester United will surely take heart from Palkin’s comments. The report suggests that the player will cost around the £70 million mark, an amount that is unlikely to deter either club.
It now remains to be seen which way the 25-year-old heads off to in the summer, with both Manchester City and Manchester United vying for his signature.
