Manchester United ready to pull out of £53m deal to sign Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester United are ready to pull the plug on their £53 million deal to sign Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk, Metro.co.uk understands.
Jose Mourinho’s side believe they have been in pole position to sign the midfielder for the last few months.
Manchester City had attempted to land the Brazil international ahead of United in the January transfer window, but the Premier League champions have now made Napoli’s Jorginho a priority signing to strengthen their midfield.
City’s change in targets had placed United in the driving seat, but Fred is now dragging his heels over a switch to Old Trafford.
United’s hierarchy believe that Paris Saint-Germain are making a late effort to sign Fred, and feel that the 25-year-old’s head could have been turned by the Brazilian contingent at the French club.
United were also alarmed by Fred’s comments last week in which he claimed his future would not be decided before Brazil’s World Cup campaign.
‘Now I just have to wait to get through the World Cup and see which is the best destination,’ he told SporTV.
‘I think I have to change a little. I have dreams of playing in major clubs in Europe. I made it clear that it’s my moment.
‘As soon as I come back from the World Cup we will sit down, talk and look at the options.’
United will make it clear that they are not prepared to wait for Fred and run the risk of losing out to PSG later this summer.
Mourinho is already in the market for at least one midfielder to replace Michael Carrick and has told United’s hierarchy that he wants the new midfielder to be signed before the start of the World Cup.
Fred would be available for £53m due to a release clause in his deal with Shakhtar.
