Man Utd transfer news: Gareth Bale is playing the waiting game at Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
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Monday 4 June
Fred mind games?
Fred may be due to have his Old Trafford medical today but he's certainly not giving anything away.
Speaking after playing the final eight minutes of Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Croatia in Liverpool yesterday, he told Globo that he does not yet know where his future lies.
The midfielder declared: "I’m going to talk to the people, meet my friends. I still do not know where I’m going.
"I’ll still talk to my agents to find out the reality of it. I want to focus only on the national team. It’s a unique time, the World Cup.
“We have to try to forget things from outside.”
Given that the 25-year-old is expected to pen a four-year deal with the Red Devils later today, we'll take his comments with a pinch of salt.
Medical confirmed
Fred will undergo a medical at Manchester United on Monday ahead of his transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk.
The midfielder has been in Liverpool over the weekend for Brazil's friendly with Croatia at Anfield.
Fred will now stay in the UK, while his fellow countryman prepare for the clash with Austria next Sunday.
And according to Sky Sports, the player's medical at United will take place on Monday.
To add, the deal could be officially completed as early as Tuesday lunchtime.
Tite backs Fred's move
Brazil manager Tite has backed Fred to join Manchester United.
Speaking after the country's 2-0 win over Croatia, he said: "Edu [Gaspar, general coordinator for Brazil’s national team] has a very loyal relationship with the players.
"When there is a club-related matter, which is inevitable, they will put it to us and the goal is to resolve it as soon as possible to get the mind geared towards the national team.
"If I were a coach, I would ask him to sign him, too."
Fred to sign on Tuesday
Fred is set to become Manchester United’s first summer signing and the deal could be confirmed by Tuesday.
Fred is with Brazil as they take on Croatia in Liverpool this afternoon.
But, according to the Manchester Evening News, his agent has flown in to the UK and they will travel to Manchester together tomorrow.
He will undergo a medical and then deal could be announced on Tuesday.
United have already agreed the £53m fee with Shakhtar Donetsk and the player terms are expected to be wrapped up quickly.
Fred, 25, will sign a four-year deal with the option of a fifth.
Umtiti decision
Samuel Umtiti will commit his future to Barcelona in the coming days ending Manchester United’s pursuit, according to reports in Spain.
Umtiti was Jose Mourinho’s top defensive target coming into the summer.
He was embroiled in a contract stand off with Barcelona and Manchester United were keen to swoop in and trigger his £53m release clause.
But Sport claim he will pen a new deal at Barcelona this week with the club agreeing to increase his salary.
Umtiti’s lawyers are expected in the city on Wednesday and Thursday to ratify the deal.
"It's clear that I want to renew at Barca and I hope to be in the team next season,” said Umtiti in L'Equipe.
“I’m at a club that has helped me realise my dream. I have a contract and for me to go they will have to kick me out, I will not decide to leave.”
And Mourinho will now have to look elsewhere to strengthen his defence.
Man Utd transfer news: Samuel Umtiti is set to make decision on future (Image: GETTY)
Dalot battle
Manchester United face a battle with eight clubs to land Porto defender Diogo Dalot.
And now it appears they may even have to pay more than his release clause to land him this summer.
The defender is among Jose Mourinho’s targets for the summer but would only cost around £19m.
Dalot has a release clause of £17.5m and Mourinho remains confident of doing a deal, according to the Manchester Evening News.
A source close to the player said: "Nobody wants to activate a release clause, nobody ever does.
"The release clause must be activated by the player so the club has to give the money to the player and the player has to pay taxes on that money.
"The club has to pay more to compensate the player and so on. Besides, the clause can only be activated on June 30 and Manchester United wants to make sure they secure the player before that because several other clubs are willing to pay €20m plus.
"Paying more in a normal transfer fee is less than what they would have to spend if the player activates the clause."
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Bale waiting game
Gareth Bale is prepared to keep Manchester United waiting for a decision on his future until he sees who is going to replace Zinedine Zidane in the hot-seat at Real Madrid.
Bale hinted after scoring two goals in the Champions League final against Liverpool that he wanted to quit the club to play regular first-team football.
That alerted United boss Jose Mourinho, who has been keen on luring him to Old Trafford, that a deal might be possible for the player this summer.
Real are keen to tie him down to a new long-term deal but Bale won’t be rushed and will only commit when he receives reassurances that he won’t be sidelined by Real’s incoming boss.
Martial ultimatum
Anthony Martial has urged Manchester United to decide on his future.
The France ace, left out of the World Cup squad, is in limbo with links with a move but also the club intimating they could start talks over a new deal.
Martial wants a big jump in wages - from £85,000 a week to £150,000 a week - to commit his future to the club and is keen for his future to be clear in the coming weeks.
But Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is still keeping an eye on Gareth Bale’s situation at Real Madrid and is keen on Willian at Chelsea.
Martial would look to be the obvious fall guy for either of those to come in after Alexis Sanchez was signed in January.