Reports – Man Utd agree £43.8 million transfer fee

It has been the big story of the day in most media outlets that Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, but the latest reports now suggest the potential transfer has taken another step closer.

The Brazilian midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City back in January as Pep Guardiola looked to sign a long term replacement for Fernandinho, but was unable to agree a deal with the Ukrainian side. Reports recently however have suggested that Guardiola has cooled his interest over the recent months, preferring to target Napoli midfielder Jorginho, allowing United to have a clear run to sign Fred.

While many media outlets have said United are trying to get a deal done before the World Cup, well respected journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that a deal has now been agreed.

That claim is also backed up by fellow Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano who claims a fee of €50 million (£43.8m) has now been agreed between the two clubs, with the contract signing and medical to take place shortly.

Fred is currently in Brazil training with the national team ahead of this summer’s World Cup, but will crucially be in England in just over a weeks time as Brazil play Croatia at Anfield, a ground less than 30 miles from Manchester United’s Carrington training base.

It is thought that Fred would form a crucial part of a three man midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

The report also claims that while Man Utd are interested in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, they are so far being put off by Lazio’s €100 million valuation of the Serbian.

Di Marzio also claims United are looking at Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic.