Reputable source claims Man Utd could seal €50m deal this week

Manchester United are close to capturing their first signing of the summer, according to The Guardian.

Jose Mourinho is close to spending €50million on Brazil midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk, however United have baulked at the €100million transfer fee of Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic‑Savic, according to the report.

Earlier this week it was reported that late interest from PSG may have swayed the player’s mind and Fred was heading to Ligue 1.

However, the British broadsheet claim “United are in advanced talks with the Ukrainian club and representatives of Fred” over a move for the player, who was wanted by Manchester City in January.

They even report a deal could be in the offing “in the coming days” as Mourinho looks to fill the void left by Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini.

Carrick, 36, has retired and will take up a coaching role at Old Trafford, while Fellaini looks set to leave on a free transfer with AC Milan believed to be heading the queue for his services.

Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli told Sky Sport on Sunday: “Fellaini? He could be an important player. In fact, he is an important player.

“We know that he is not renewing his contract with Manchester United, but it is difficult to say if we have closed it.”

Meanwhile, the same source claim United have put their move for Milinkovic‑Savic on hold after being quoted €100m for the 23-year-old.

Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman represents the Lazio star and he said that the Serbian international wold decide his future after the Serie A season finished on Sunday.

“The interest in Sergej is enormous,” Kezman said. “But on Sunday Lazio will have to play the most important game of all and it makes no sense to talk about a transfer.

“Until the end of the season it is concentrated exclusively on Lazio.”

With Lazio failing to qualify for the Champions League next season, it is understood they upped the price for the midfielder, who is under contract until 2022.

 

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