Manchester United to demand just £15m to sell midfielder this summer

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Erik ten Hag reportedly hopes Manchester United can ‘offload’ Fred to Premier League rivals Fulham while adding around £15 million to the transfer kitty.

Whether or not there is any truth to the reports suggesting that Manchester United’s pursuit of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana is now in doubt – Financial Fair Play concerns forcing Ten Hag to look into deals for Justin Bijlow and Kevin Trapp instead – the fact remains that the Red Devils will be operating with one hand tied behind their back until they can first get a number of high-earning players off the wage bill (The Mirror).

We are now in July, and Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Eric Bailly, Dean Henderson, Alex Telles, Donny Van de Beek and co are all still Manchester United players. Ditto Fred.

The long-serving Brazilian played over 50 times during Ten Hag’s debut season at Old Trafford. But at the age of 30, and with one year left on his £120,000-a-week contract, the United boss is hoping to cash in for a fee of around £15 million (Spotrac).

Especially after the arrival of Mason Mount from Chelsea. Mount should, in theory, combine Fred’s energy and work-rate with Christian Eriksen’s guile and creativity. A best-of-both-worlds addition to a midfield which was often left exposed by high-quality opposition last term.

Mason Mount in, Fred out at Manchester United

The Sun say that Manchester United may demand around £15 million for Fred. Fulham are currently his most likely destination. Cottagers boss Marco Silva was spotted in discussions with the former Shakhtar Donetsk ace following Fulham’s 2-1, final day defeat at Old Trafford in May.

And, should he depart this summer, he’ll do so on the back of his finest season in United red. Fred scored six goals and set up six more. Including a vital equaliser in the dramatic UEFA Europa League round-of-32 victory over Barcelona in the spring.

“Fred has an important role,” Ten Hag said, via The Mail, after that Barca triumph. “He had to first stop Frenkie de Jong playing like a mosquito around him and behind him. He did it magnificently in the first leg as well and, tonight, he scored a goal.

“It was brilliant.”