Galatasaray vice-chairman Erden Timur has reportedly flown into England on Wednesday evening as he looks to finalise a deal for Manchester United star Fred.
The midfielder’s future at Old Trafford looks bleak, with the former Shakhtar man having fallen out of favour and having started just two Premier League games since March’s 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.
He was strongly linked with a move to Fulham earlier in the summer, and Cottagers boss Marco Silva was spotted having a one-on-one chat with the Brazilian when the two sides met on the final day of the season.
Left out of the tour of the USA for ‘personal reasons’, it is now seeming increasingly likely that he will leave Manchester before the start of the new season in a fortnight’s time.
Melbourne, Australia. 15th July, 2022. 15th July 2022, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. Pre-season friendly football, Melbourne Victory versus Manchester United: Fred of Manchester United passes the ball Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Al 2JH5D3T Melbourne, Australia. 15th July, 2022. 15th July 2022, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. Pre-season friendly football, Melbourne Victory versus Manchester United: Fred of Manchester United passes the ball Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
As per the Daily Express, Manchester United have slapped a £20m price tag on Fred’s head, with the Brazilian out of contract next summer.
After Galatasaray saw one bid turned down, it is added that ‘there is a sense face-to-face discussions with the player’s reps to sell the project are imminent’ ahead of an improved offer to both the player and club.
Dean Henderson is expected to follow, with a permanent move to Nottingham Forest on the cards, while the sale of Fred could take incoming funds over the £50m mark.
This could allow Erik ten Hag to move for Sofyan Amrabat, who he is thought to be keen on bringing to Old Trafford this summer, while it could also allow more wiggle-room in a move for Rasmus Hojlund, who United have submitted a 60m euro bid for but are likely to need to go higher.