Barcelona are the latest club to be linked with Fred, with the Catalans reportedly set to rival Manchester United in pursuit of the Shakhtar Donetsk superstar.
According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Fred could be heading to La Liga, with Barcelona showing interest in the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder. The Brazilian international had been widely tipped to be heading to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Manchester City battling it out for the midfielder’s signature.
Manchester City though, had since ceded their interest in Fred, giving Manchester United a clear run in on the Brazilian. The Red Devils were, for long, been tipped to land Fred, with Jose Mourinho looking to add to his midfield options for the upcoming season.
Fred has been silently making his mark at Shakhtar Donetsk, since the departure of Fernandinho, who joined Manchester City in the summer of 2013. Brought into the club from Internacional to replace Fernandinho, the Brazilian has done a commendable job in replacing his compatriot and has also stamped his own image in the Shakhtar midfield.
155 appearances for Shakhtar and 6 trophies with the club, Fred is now looking to move to a bigger club and a league with a higher profile than the Ukranian Premier League. Manchester United and Barcelona look like the main contenders for the 25-year-old, according to current reports.
At Manchester United, Michael Carrick is set to start his coaching career while Marouane Fellaini is being tipped to leave the club on a free transfer. Fred’s industry and vision in midfield could be the key to unlocking the squad’s potential and challenge Manchester City in the upcoming season.
Barcelona though, have entered the chase for the 25-year-old. Andres Iniesta is set to leave the club. But, the veteran is not the only one, with Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes’s futures up in the air as well. Paulinho too, has been linked with a move away from the club, leaving Ernesto Valverde to delve into the transfer market for able additions to his squad.
Fred is already an established name in Europe and the interest in him is a testament to his quality. The Brazilian could be a realistic target for Barcelona and Manchester United, with the midfielder himself reportedly looking for a move to a bigger club in the summer.
Fred is likely to decide on his future after the World Cup in Russia. The Brazilian dreams of joining a bigger club and chances are, he could soon be granted his wish, be it through Barcelona or Manchester United.
