Manchester United have agreed a five-year contract with Brazil midfielder Fred.
The £52million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk travelled to United’s Mayfair offices in London to complete the formalities of his move before taking part in Brazil training at Tottenham’s training ground.
Fred received a hug from Neymar shortly after the announcement. The Paris Saint-Germain ace knows a thing or two about big-money moves having left Barcelona to the French capital in a world record £198m move last summer.
The final announcement could still be delayed by the transfer of international paperwork involving the Brazilian FA but United boss Jose Mourinho has secured his man as he prepares to leave for the World Cup in Russia.
The Selecao have one final friendly in a bid to fine tune their plans for this summer’s tournament as they take on Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on Sunday.
Spirits were high in training on Tuesday and both boss Tite and Fred will be relieved to finally have his future sorted after months of speculation.
Fred left Brazil’s team following Sunday’s win over Croatia at Anfield to have the first part of his medical and a look around the United’s training complex before undergoing club publicity photographs on Monday and heading to London with his agents Fabio Mello and Gilberto Silva.
United are also completing the finer details of terms with Porto for full-back Diogo Dalot, who is due in London to sign his contract, also expected to be for five years.
Jose Mourinho likes the idea that the 19-year-old looks comfortable at left back and could well start him in that position as he looks to develop him into the successor to Antonio Valencia at right back.
United have still to agree a fee with Juventus for Matteo Darmian.
The Italian side thought they could deal at £11.5m but United have asked for closer to £17m.
Inter Milan have also shown an interest in Daley Blind as they look to replace Joao Cancelo.
United retain interest in Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale who is expecting his representatives to discuss his future with the European champions next week.
Marko Arnautovic of West Ham has also been discussed by United as cover for Romelu Lukaku though West Ham would want in excess of £50m.
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