Transfer News: PSG set to pip Manchester United to summer transfer for AS Monaco star Fabinho

Manchester United are reportedly set to be pipped by PSG to the signature of AS Monaco’s versatile Brazilian Fabinho

According to a report in The Sun, Manchester United are set to lose the race to sign Fabinho from AS Monaco in the summer transfer window. French giants Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on a deal for the Brazil international, having tabled a bid worth £42 million.

Fabinho’s career has taken off ever since he made the move to Monaco from Rio Ave in the summer of 2013. The deal was initially a two-year loan spell, but having been impressive in his first two seasons at Stade Louis II, he was signed on a permanent transfer in the summer of 2015.

As the seasons have progressed, Fabinho has gone from strength to strength to well and truly establish himself as a mainstay in Monaco’s first-team setup. And as Leonardo Jardim’s men stunned everyone with their astounding Ligue 1 triumph, the 23-year-old played an instrumental role in their unprecedented success.

Largely playing as a defensive midfielder while also filling in as right-back, as and when required, Fabinho’s racked up some impressive numbers, bagging 12 goals and 6 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions for the principality club.

As he continues to come into his own at Monaco, the multi-faceted player is starting to generate a lot of interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe. And the two front-runners in the race to sign Fabinho are Manchester United and PSG.

At Manchester United, Jose Mourinho is keen to add a defensive midfielder to his squad. The Portuguese manager currently has Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick as his options in midfield.

But while Carrick is well into the twilight years of his glittering career, Fellaini is seen as more of a squad player, thereby accentuating the need for the Manchester United boss to recruit a midfielder. The player’s veratility, meanwhile, also makes him a possible option at right-back in the absence of Antonio Valencia.

However, the Red Devils are likely to miss out on Fabinho with PSG launching a £42 million bid for him. Unai Emery is desperate to sign a midfielder, with Marco Verratti expected to leave the Parc des Princes this summer.

With Blaise Matuidi also being linked to a summer exit, the need to recruit a midfielder has been accentuated for the PSG boss. Hence, Les Parisiens have stepped up their pursuit for the Monaco star with the aforementioned bid.

The report suggests that Monaco would be happy to accept bids in the region of £40 million and with PSG exceeding that amount, Fabinho could be set to make his way to the French capital.

It now remains to be seen if Manchester United can usurp PSG with a higher bid or if the Red Devils are forced to suffice with Nemanja Matic’s acquisition, with the Chelsea midfielder reportedly set to arrive at Old Trafford soon.