Manchester United Transfer News: Fred Deal 'Close' Amid Latest Rumours

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred is reportedly close to becoming Manchester United's first signing of the summer.

According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils expect to complete the signing of the 25-year-old early next month, potentially when he is in the north-west of England for Brazil's friendly against Croatia at Anfield on June 3.

The report added that United and Fred's agent, Gilberto Silva, are keen to get a deal completed before the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on June 14, and his €60 million (£52.5 million) release clause is not thought to be "a stumbling block."

Long-term midfield general Michael Carrick retired at the end of the 2017-18 campaign and Marouane Fellaini could depart Old Trafford this summer, per Belgian football writer Kristof Terreur:

As such, United manager Jose Mourinho needs to add to his midfield unit and Fred would be a fine purchase.

The Brazil international has impressed hugely since joining Shakhtar in 2013 and enjoyed a particularly fine UEFA Champions League campaign in 2017-18, per football analyst David O'Brien:

As can be seen from his statistics, Fred is defensively excellent in the middle of the park and boasts a decent passing range, while he is also comfortable with the ball at his feet.

He could form an effective central trio at United with Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.

It would be a huge coup for United were they able to seal the Fred signing before the start of the World Cup.

He is part of the 23-man Brazil squad that will travel to Russia with designs on winning the World Cup, and if he has a good tournament other suitors could emerge to complicate matters for United.