Manchester United Transfer News: Fred Set for Medical in Fresh Rumours

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred is reportedly set to have a medical with Manchester United ahead of a summer transfer.

According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, some significant progress has been made regarding a deal and the player will most likely end up at Old Trafford before the 2018 FIFA World Cup gets underway on June 14.

It's said United will pay around £43 million to sign the Brazil international, although add-ons may take the full value of the transfer up to £52.2 million.

As Keegan noted, Manchester City were strongly linked with a move for the 25-year-old in January, although a deal never came off. City have reportedly turned their attention to Napoli midfielder Jorginho instead, clearing the way for United to get a transfer boxed off.

It's added that Fred is in the north-west of England too, as Brazil take on Croatia in an international friendly in Liverpool on Sunday.

If United can get this one sorted before the World Cup, then they will be delighted, as Fred is potentially a key addition. Football writer Liam Canning wants to see the club move quickly to get their main targets in:

Signing another midfielder is important for United, as it was an area where they struggled at times last season.

The team needed to be set up in a specific way to get the best from Paul Pogba, who was not always consistent himself. Elsewhere, Nemanja Matic excelled in the main, Ander Herrera blew hot and cold and Marouane Fellaini's contract situation—his deal is set to expire at the end of June—has yet to be resolved.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Fred would add a lot to this area of the pitch, having developed into an excellent all-around midfielder at Shakhtar. As Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News noted, the Brazil international would become one of the priciest transfers in the club's history:

There's a lot to admire about the Shakhtar man, who has impressed domestically and in the UEFA Champions League.

Fred is multifaceted and has carried out a number of different jobs to great effect in recent years. Off the ball, he's dynamic and intelligent in the way he presses. He's also able to distribute effectively and elegantly with his left foot.

In addition, as WhoScored.com illustrated, he can open up a game with a surge forward:

While moving to the Premier League can be a culture shock for a lot of footballers from overseas, Fred appears to have all the attributes needed to be a success in the English game. Alongside the likes of Pogba and Matic, he could become United's linchpin.

The Red Devils still have plenty of work to do if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next season, especially given how dominant City were in the division in 2017/18. Fred's capture would feel like a step in the right direction.