Manchester City close in on £50m move for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred as club look to edge out rivals Manchester United to his signature
- Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola identified Fred as Fernandinho's successor
- Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder impressed Guardiola when they met in Europe
- Fred would be City's first January signing after they opted out of Sanchez deal
Manchester City are closing in on making Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred their first January signing in a £50m deal.
Shakhtar are reluctant to lose the Brazilian star while they are still in the Champions League but City are wary of rival interest from Manchester United and want to get a deal tied up swiftly.
City's move for Fred can help Shakhtar away from the playing squad as they consider a stadium move also amid security fears.
Manchester City are closing in on a £50million move for Shaktar Donetsk midfielder Fred
Donetsk is not far from the Ukraine border with Russia and increasing threat of military action has forced them to contemplate relocating which could have financial implications.
Fred, 24, is a defensive midfielder who impressed against City this season and has drawn attention from United, Chelsea and Arsenal also.
City did monitor Jean-Michael Seri at Nice and are maintaining a watching brief on Lille's promising teenager Boubakary Soumare as scouts watched the 18-year-old again in midweek against Rennes.
City boss Pep Guardiola views Fred as an ideal long-term replacement for Brazilian compatriot Fernandinho, who turns 33-years-old in May.
Pep Guardiola views Fred as the ideal long-term replacement for fellow Brazilian Fernandinho
Ivorian Yaya Toure is another who is in the latter stages of his career and Guardiola has put a plan in place to sustain City's success.
The 46-year-old has laid out the club's transfer strategy with director of football Txiki Begiristain, chief executive Ferran Soriano and chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak as City continue to strengthen their already dominant squad.
Fred is cup-tied for the Champions League but would provide a freshness domestically.
Guardiola wants to bolster his squad as he continues to fight for trophies across four fronts
Most watched Sport videos
- Two Premier League stars have been ARRESTED
- Ex-NBA champ slams Gayle King for 'cheering for Caitlin Clark'
- Mike Tyson trains ahead of fight with Jake Paul
- Athletes shine on Laureus Awards red carpet in Madrid
- Sheffield United boss speaks after 4-2 loss to Manchester United
- Mauricio Pochettino is 'disappointed' for Chelsea defeat to Arsenal
- Arsenal Manager Arteta reflects on 5-0 win against Chelsea
- Everton 2-0 Liverpool: Everton Boss Sean Dyche's press conference
- Premier League stars arrested in rape probe have been 'suspended'
- Carlos Tevez has been RUSHED to hospital
- Ryan Garcia spotted in Miami with model Grace Boor
- See the moments that made Terry Hill a legendary footy larrikin