Manchester United have reduced their demands for midfielder Fred with Alfredo Pedulla reporting that the Brazilian could now leave the Premier League giants for a fee in the £13 million bracket.
With Fabrizio Romano reporting on Wednesday morning that Erik ten Hag’s side will only attempt to force through a move for Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat after selling the likes of Fred and/or Donny Van de Beek, you can probably expect a couple of high-profile departures from Old Trafford over the next few weeks.
Real Sociedad have opened talks with Van de Beek.
Fred, meanwhile, has been up for sale ever since the window began. Though reports suggesting that Manchester United have suddenly knocked £5 million off the Brazilian’s price-tag may be a reflection of the fact that – despite plenty of interest – striking a deal has been easier said than done.
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Manchester United want Fred sale
Fulham wanted him but were reluctant to pay nearly £20 million for a 30-year-old with less than 12 months left on his contract. Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri vetoed a move to the Italian capital.
Galatasaray made a couple of bids of their own, but neither or which came close to meeting Man United’s demands.
Now, Pedulla reports that United have reduced their asking price to around £13 million. The implication being that the Red Devils are looking to speed up the pace of Fred’s departure, in the knowledge that a deal for Amrabat remains locked in limbo until the former Shakhtar Donetsk ace says his goodbyes.
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Fred out, Sofyan Amrabat in
“It’s (a deal) that United are looking at. Amrabat is aware of that,” the uber-reliable David Ornstein tells FIVE UK.
“(But) I don’t think it has moved to the degree some reports suggest. I’m not aware that a deal is nearly done or agreed.
“It is one that could be acted upon on if there are departures (first).”
Fred scored six goals and set up six more during arguably his finest United season in 2022/23. Amrabat, however, is younger, quicker and far more technical with the ball at his feet.