MOURINHO SNAPS UP £65M PAIR
JOSE MOURINHO has signalled Manchester United’s intent to catch Manchester City next season by making a £65million double swoop for Fred and Diogo Dalot.
United are determined to topple City, and Mourinho has struck first in the transfer market by agreeing a £47m fee with Shakhtar Donetsk for Fred.
He is understood to have had his medical on Monday, and United are now working on the paperwork.
The Brazil midfielder, who is believed to have agreed a five-year deal, will need international clearance and his transfer could be completed next week.
United have been chasing him for months and he has expressed his delight at moving to Old Trafford by posting a message on Instagram, which read: “PROUD TO BE RED #FredIsRed.”
United see the 25-year-old’s capture as a real coup as City boss Pep Guardiola was keen on him before cooling his interest. Mourinho sees the Samba star – given time off from Brazil’s World Cup preparations to seal his move to United – as the ideal replacement for Michael Carrick.
His former Shakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu has congratulated him on his move, with the current Turkey manager tipping him to be a success in the Premier League.
Lucescu, who helped convert the Brazilian into a coveted holding midfielder, said: “I’m really pleased Fred has completed his transfer to Manchester United.”
United are also finalising Dalot’s switch to United after activating his £17.4m buy-out clause at Porto.
The full-back, 19, (above), is understood to have completed a medical at Carrington after jetting into the UK from Portugal and agreed personal terms.
Mourinho thinks Dalot will be competition for Antonio Valencia at right-back in place of Matteo Darmian, who may go to Juventus.