Fiorentina are reportedly set to table a bid to Manchester United for Fred, with the Serie A outfit ready to offer €30 million for the Brazilian midfielder.
According a report by Italian publication La Nazione, as carried out by Calciomercato, Serie A club Fiorentina are lining up a shock late move for Fred. La Viola are prepared to offer €30 million to sign the Brazilian midfielder from Manchester United.
Fred joined Manchester United from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer in a deal worth around €59 million. Having impressed a lot during his stint in Ukraine, there was understandably a lot of hype and excitement building up following the player’s arrival. But, his maiden campaign at Old Trafford ended up being a damp squib.
The Brazilian midfielder managed to start just 20 games all season, flitting in and out of the side throughout the season. With the 2019-20 season underway, Fred continues to be in dire straits, as he has not been a part of the matchday squad for any of the first three games that Manchester United have played so far.
The 26-year-old’s absence from the scene is somewhat understandable, considering he joined the squad late for pre-season training after getting married this summer. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly reassuring him of his future at Manchester United, there should not be any cause for concern.
Indeed, with Manchester United not signing any midfielder this summer, Fred could fancy his chances of getting regular game time under his belt, especially with Solskjaer adamant that Fred will have a “big season”. But, Serie A outfit Fiorentina are looking to pounce on the situation he finds himself in at present.
Vincenzo Montella does not exactly have a shortage of options when it comes to midfield, with Milan Badelj returning to the club on loan. But, in signing Fred, La Viola will have a midfielder who would be a genuine upgrade on most options at Montella’s disposal.
The Serie A club, as per La Nazione (h/t Calciomercato), are ready to test the resolve of Manchester United, with a €30 million bid in the works. Accepting such an offer would represent a huge loss on the investment that United made last summer.
Having said that, if Fred is unlikely to break into Solskjaer’s squad, contrary to the manager’s quotes, it would serve the Red Devils better if they cut their losses on him. All things considered, however, a summer departure might not serve Manchester United well.
Considering they lost Ander Herrera this summer and did not replace him in the transfer market, offloading Fred might not be the best of decisions, as it could render Solskjaer’s midfield options to be slim. But, it remains to be seen if Fred ends up leaving amid interest from Fiorentina.
