Manchester City are still working on a deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred and want it concluded before the World Cup starts midway through June, reports The Daily Telegraph.
Pep Guardiola has earmarked Fred as an ideal long-term replacement for Fernandinho and is determined to sign the Brazilian ahead of rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.
With Yaya Toure expected to leave when his contract expires in the summer, coupled with the fact Fernandinho will turn 33 by the end of the season, Guardiola has prioritised central midfield as an area to address in the next two transfer windows.
City are not in any rush to sign Fred this month but do want a deal wrapped up before the 2018 World Cup and are concerned that the 24-year-old’s price tag continues to soar.
The Premier League leaders were hopeful of signing Fred in a £30m deal similar to the one that prised Fernandinho away from Shakhtar in 2013 but now the Ukrainian giants are demanding in excess of £40m.
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%).
