Manchester City to launch £45m bid for Manchester United target

Manchester City have told Shakhtar Donetsk they will bid £45m for Manchester United target Fred, claims the Manchester Evening News.

Pep Guardiola has identified Fred as Fernandinho’s long-term replacement and is ready to move for the 24-year-old following interest from rivals United.

City are quietly targeting four trophies this season and Guardiola believes January arrivals are needed for his side to have any chance of achieving an unprecedented quadruple.

Guardiola is ready to step away from a deal to sign Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez following interest from United but is determined to beat Jose Mourinho’s side to the signature of Fred.

Shakhtar insist that £45m will not be enough to sign their star midfielder and the Ukranian giants will hope United accelerate their own interest in order to drive the price up even further.

Fred will not be able to compete in the Champions League for either Manchester side, but his arrival at City would at least allow Guardiola the chance to keep Fernandinho fresh for the big matches at the business end of the season.

Of the 105 players that have attempted at least 10 dribbles in the Champions League this season, Fred has the best success rate (95.2%).