Manchester City have made a £45m bid for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred according to reports.
The Brazilian has been linked with both Manchester clubs in the last week, with United known to be in the market to find the long term replacement for the ageing Michael Carrick.
However, according to the Manchester Evening News, Pep Guardiola is determined to land the 24-year-old who he sees as the long term replacement for Fernandinho.
Fernandinho also made the move from Donetsk to Manchester back in 2013 where he has gone on to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. However, with Fernandinho approaching his 33rd birthday in the next few months and Guardiola already claiming he has played “a million minutes” so far this season, the City boss is looking to the future
The Premier League leaders have now contacted the Ukrainian side to inform them of their willingness to pay a fee of around £45m, although that is thought to be short of their asking price.
City are not looking to sign the defensive midfielder in January, but are looking to secure a deal in time for him to move in the summer transfer window.
The two Manchester giants are locked in a battle to sign Alexis Sanchez, with United becoming the surprise favourites with the bookmakers in the last 24 hours.