Manchester United are reportedly looking to receive £20m from the sale of out-of-favour midfielder Fred this summer.
The Brazil international has failed to justify his £50.7m price tag since joining the Red Devils from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018 and fell further down the pecking order last season.
With Casemiro and Christian Eriksen immediately nailing down regular starting positions, Fred was restricted to a bit-part role and also faced competition from Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer for midfield minutes.
Fred would have originally been able to depart on a free transfer at the end of the season, but Man United triggered an extension in his contract to tie him down until the summer of 2024.
However, given his struggles for game time, a long-term extension is not thought to be on the cards for Fred, who could be on the way out this summer in order to make room for new faces.
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The 30-year-old was pictured in conversation with Fulham boss Marco Silva after the final day of the Premier League season, and the Cottagers are thought to be keen to bring him to the English capital.
According to The Telegraph, Man United have told Fulham that they must fork out £20m if they want to prise Fred away from the Theatre of Dreams this summer - a fee that the Cottagers deem excessive.
While Fulham are not willing to bow to Man United's financial demands, they are still optimistic of reaching an agreement given that the Red Devils are actively trying to offload the South American.
Fred is also said to be open to a move to Craven Cottage, where compatriots Andreas Pereira and Willian have reignited their Premier League careers after underwhelming stints at Man United and Arsenal respectively.
However, the report adds that no talks have been held over the structure of a potential deal, but Fred has already opened the door to a move away from Old Trafford after a challenging five-year spell.
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The former Internacional protege has amassed 14 goals and 19 assists from 213 appearances in a Red Devils jersey and was a prominent member of the squad last season, scoring six goals and setting up six more in 56 matches.
Fred started in both the EFL Cup final and FA Cup final, but he only featured from the first whistle 12 times in the Premier League, appearing off the bench in a further 23 top-flight games.
Man United are expected to move for a new striker before focusing on additions elsewhere, but Ten Hag is thought to be keen to beef up his engine room ahead of Fred and McTominay's possible exits.
The Red Devils are not giving up hope of signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, who is valued at over £100m by the Hammers and has been the subject of two rejected bids from Arsenal.
With the Gunners so far reluctant to enter nine-figure territory, Man United are supposedly looking to hijack Arsenal's move with a player-plus-cash offer involving McTominay or Harry Maguire.
Ben Knapton
