Manchester United are confident of wrapping up a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred before the start of the 2018 World Cup, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Fred has emerged as Jose Mourinho’s first choice midfield target this summer and the Brazil international has already confirmed talks between United and Shakhtar.
The Ukrainian giants want United to match Fred’s €60m (£52.5m) release clause, but the Premier League giants are hopeful of restructuring a deal to ensure they do not pay that much straight away.
The 25-year-old was expected to join Manchester City in January before Pep Guardiola pulled a plug on the deal, instead shifting his attention to Napoli midfielder Jorginho.
Fred recently said he would decide on his future after the World Cup, but Brazil play Croatia at Anfield on Sunday and United could even complete a deal for the box-to-box midfielder then.
Of players that have attempted at least 25 dribbles in the Champions League this season, Fred has the best success rate (88.5%).
