Manchester United are closing in on sealing the signing of AS Monaco’s Brazilian star Fabinho in the summer transfer window
Manchester United are on the verge of agreeing a move for AS Monaco full-back Fabinho in the summer, according to a report from Sky Sports Italia (h/t Mirror).
The 24-year old was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer of 2017, but had to stay put at the principality club, with the French champions not willing to lose another of their star players, having already seen the likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Bernardo Silva and Kylian Mbappe leave the club.
However, the Brazilian international could be set to secure his move to the Old Trafford at the end of the ongoing season, with the report claiming that negotiations are underway over a £45 million summer move between Manchester United and Monaco.
Fabinho too, has stoked the flames of a move away from his current club, after having claimed that he ‘needs a new challenge’ in his career.
As quoted by Metro, in a recent interview with Lancanet, Fabinho said: ‘My time with Monaco was good, but I feel my time here is coming to an end. I believe I have gone through this process. I arrived as an unknown, I made my name at the club, won things — but maybe I need a new challenge.’
Man United 'closing on £45million Fabinho as negotiations over summer switch begin'https://t.co/wF5J33EXUn pic.twitter.com/O3LfLMc6Jk
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) February 8, 2018
An extremely versatile operator, who can play as a full-back and in a defensive midfield position, Fabinho would be exactly what the doctor ordered for Manchester United and Jose Mourinho.
The club’s current first-choice right-back, Antonio Valencia, is 33 years of age and given that Matteo Darmian’s future isn’t exactly looking all that great, bringing in Fabinho would be the ideal piece of business for the club.
Mourinho also recently claimed that a midfielder would be a priority for the club in the summer market, with Michael Carrick set to retire and Marouane Fellaini likely to leave at the end of the season. And signing the Monaco star would strengthen the team in the middle of the park as well.
Fabinho has proven himself to be a great prospect, having been one of the key players for Monaco in their surprise Ligue 1 title triumph and the run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last season. In the ongoing campaign, the 4-time capped Brazil international has appeared 33 times in all competitions, scoring five goals and assisting four more.
Strong and solid at the back with an ability to have an impact on the game going forward along with the tactical flexibility that he would bring in, Fabinho would improve the quality of this Manchester United side without a question. With the player also keen on the move, this one looks certain to happen come summer.
