Roland Cutinho
Erik ten Hag’s side hoping to extract a decent sum of money for the Brazilian midfielder this summer
According to the Athletic [subscription required] (h/t the Daily Express), Manchester United are hoping to raise at least £20 million by selling Brazilian midfielder Fred this summer.
The 30-year-old has been an important part of the team since joining in 2018 from Shakhtar Donetsk for £52 million.
In his time with the club, Fred has significantly contributed with 14 goals and 19 assists in 213 appearances across all competitions, almost half of which were starts in the Premier League.
Despite his long tenure at the club, it seems United are keen to offload Fred to any club willing to meet their asking price.
The midfielder has seen a decline in his playing time since Casemiro’s arrival, as the latter has become a regular choice in the midfield.
With United actively searching for a new partner to team up with Casemiro, Fred’s future at the club has become a subject of discussion, especially considering he only has one year remaining on his contract.
The midfield star expressed his openness to seeking a new opportunity elsewhere, but he has also stated that he is happy to stay at Old Trafford.
As a result, he has attracted attention from clubs in the Premier League and overseas. According to Fanatik (h/t the Daily Mail). Galatasaray have emerged as one of the interested parties, particularly as they are looking to bolster their midfield with some high-profile additions.
However, the Turkish club’s initial attempt to secure a deal for Fred has been unsuccessful. The Red Devils are said to be demanding around £20m for the player, a valuation that does not align with Galatasaray’s assessment of the player’s worth.
It remains uncertain if they will make another offer, but it is improbable that they would be willing to pay such a substantial sum for a player of Fred’s age.
Fulham have also been strongly linked with a potential move for the Brazilian. However, like Galatasaray, they also seem to hold the same view regarding the asking price set by United for the midfielder.
Clubs from Saudi Arabia are also keeping an eye on the situation, although Fred has not shown any indication of considering a move to the Middle East at this point in his career.
Although Man United could keep Fred until the end of his contract, they are facing Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues, which means they would benefit from receiving a transfer fee for the player.
The midfielder would be smart enough to know that there is serious competition for places at the club. Casemiro’s impact and the recent upsurge of Kobbie Mainoo will certainly give him headaches ahead of the upcoming season.
More Manchester United News
- Feyenoord shot-stopper Justin Bijlow claims Manchester United made contact to sign him
- Manchester United drop Fred price tag to €12 million amidst Galatasaray interest
- Tottenham Hotspur to push for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire
The Red Devils are busy in their pursuit of signing additional players, and any inflow of cash will be welcomed with open arms by the Old Trafford hierarchy.
