Manchester United have reportedly turned down a low-ball offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray for Fred, who is attracting interest from Premier League rivals and Saudi Arabian clubs.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have rebuffed a bid from Turkish giants Galatasaray for fringe Brazilian midfielder Fred, with the suggested transfer fee deemed “below expectations”.
The 30-year-old Brazilian midfielder, who is out of contract next summer, is among a number of players the Red Devils are open to letting go, in order to boost the amount of money Erik ten Hag can spend on recruits this summer, with Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund and Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Fred joined United in a £47 million move from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018 and has struggled to live up to the price tag overall. Although he was once a regular in the side under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his form has blown hot and cold over his 213 appearances.
Last season, though, the combative midfielder played some of his best football under ten Hag, lifting his first major honour with the club in the form of the Carabao Cup. With the club in need of recouping funds from outgoings, Fred could be one of the first players to leave Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag deeming him surplus to requirements following the acquisition of Mason Mount.
EXCL: Galatasaray have approached Manchester United to sign Fred! 🟡🔴
Opening proposal already submitted — rejected by Man United, transfer fee was below expectations.
🇧🇷 Fred will leave United this summer as Saudi clubs, Fulham and more PL clubs are already working on it. pic.twitter.com/7rxNwiw6pZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 13, 2023
He recently travelled to Oslo for Manchester United’s first pre-season match against Leeds. But the 30-year-old did not make the matchday squad. There is a strong possibility that ten Hag did not want to risk Fred suffering any injuries or knocks that would scupper a summer move away from the club.
The Red Devils are open to listening to bids for the 30-year-old tenacious midfielder and are hopeful they can recoup between £20-£25 million in any potential sale. The good thing for Manchester United is that there is no shortage of suitors in the market for the midfielder, with Galatasaray joining Fulham, a few other Premier League teams, and Saudi Arabian clubs in the race.
However, no one has yet tabled a good enough offer to the Red Devils for the Brazilian international. Galatasaray have made the opening offer, which has already been rejected as the transfer fee was below expectations.
Meanwhile, Fulham value Fred at under £15 million — far below Manchester United’s current valuation — and are reluctant to make a move unless the price is reduced. It remains to be seen how this situation develops. But Fred is not the only midfielder who could depart Old Trafford before the transfer window closes, with Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek reportedly up for sale for cut-price fees.
