Man Utd transfer talks ‘intensify’ over Brazilian as club eye ‘bonus plan’ to ‘reduce’ fee
Galatasaray are looking to get Man Utd to reduce their asking price for Fred this summer as they look to bring the midfielder to Turkey, according to reports.
Erik ten Hag is prepared to move on a number of his squad players this summer as he looks to raise extra funds for his transfer budget.
The Red Devils have already brought in Mason Mount from Chelsea and Andre Onana from Inter Milan as Ten Hag looks to build on a solid first season at Old Trafford.
Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund is likely to be the next incoming after Man Utd submitted their first offer earlier this week for the Denmark international, while rumours are building about new midfielders too.
However, sales will be needed to top up Ten Hag’s budget and Fred could be one of the first out the door with rumours Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and others could also be available.
Fred dropped down the pecking order at Old Trafford last season with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen arriving to form a new midfield under Ten Hag.
Fulham have been heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian but baulked at the ‘prohibitive’ £20m asking price put on his head by Man Utd.
And now Turkish giants Galatasaray are showing a willingness to do a deal with Man Utd and have ‘intensified its talks’ with the Premier League club for Fred after negotiations to sign Leandro Paredes collapsed.
The ‘expectation’ from Man Utd is for Galatasaray to bid €15m but the Turkish side are ‘trying to reduce this figure’ with a ‘bonus plan’ to include a number of add-ons into a deal.
Sofyan Amrabat has been heavily linked as a replacement for the Brazilian and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed last week that Man Utd will ‘focus on’ Amrabat once they’ve sold Fred.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “I’ve been asked again about Sofyan Amrabat and Manchester United, but from what I’m hearing they have not made an official bid for the Fiorentina midfielder. Amrabat is on their list, they like him, they want to negotiate for him, but there’s no bid yet.
“Fiorentina want something like €35-40m and at the moment United’s focus is on a new striker anyway as they target Rasmus Hojlund. After that, they will look at a potential new midfielder and new centre-back.
“Outgoings will also be crucial, and United are convinced that Fred will leave the club. This will be an important first step, and then they can focus on Amrabat.
