Fred is reportedly set to undergo a medical at Carrington on Monday before completing his permanent summer move to Manchester United.
According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United are inching closer to completing the signing of Fred, who is set to undergo a medical at the club’s Carrington training base on Monday. Upon completion of the medical, the Brazilian midfielder is expected to complete his £52 million switch to Old Trafford.
Fred has enjoyed a steady rise in stature since joining Shakhtar Donetsk from Internacional in 2013, having been a like-for-like replacement for Fernandinho. Over the last five years, the Brazilian has stamped his authority in midfield at the Ukrainian club, and is widely regarded as one of the most improved players in the world.
Having amassed over 150 appearances for Shakhtar over a five-season period when he has also won 10 trophies with them, Fred’s superlative performances haven’t gone unnoticed. The 25-year-old was the subject of interest from Manchester City in January, who have since turned their attention elsewhere, leaving neighbours Manchester United as the front-runners in his pursuit.
The need for midfield reinforcements at Manchester United is all too well known. The Red Devils bade goodbye to Michael Carrick, who retired at the end of the 2017-18 season. Jose Mourinho is also bracing himself for the departure of Marouane Fellaini, who has failed to reach an agreement over a renewal, with his deal expiring this summer.
With the duo’s exit, the Manchester United boss will have his midfield personnel thinned down, making Fred’s addition an urgent need. Additionally, the Brazilian international’s arrival could just be the final piece in the midfield jigsaw puzzle as his presence in midfield would not just add steel to midfield, but also potentially provide Paul Pogba more freedom.
It has now emerged that Fred is inching closer to sealing his move to Manchester United, as he is set to undergo a medical at the club’s Carrington base on Monday, having left the Brazil camp after the Croatia friendly on Sunday to complete the final procedures before making a permanent switch to Old Trafford.
Reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has even gone on to claim that the deal is as good as done, with Manchester United reaching a verbal agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk. Brazil coach Tite has also given his seal of approval for Fred’s move to United, while also adding that he wants the transfer to complete as soon as possible.
“When this happens, and it is inevitable, they are going to come to us and our advice to them is resolve this as soon as you can so your head is back with us and focusing on the national team. If I was a manager I’d ask to sign him as well.”
The transfer is expected to cost Manchester United £52 million including add-ons, and it looks like the move could be completed this week. Should the deal indeed go through, Fred will become the first signing of the summer transfer window for the Premier League heavyweights, and it remains to be seen how swiftly it can be finalised.
