GET FRED Shakhtar star at centre of a new Manc battle
THINGS GET VAR-CICAL AT ANFIELD
IN DEMAND: Brazilian Fred is wanted by United and City
MANCHESTER rivals United and City are squaring up for another transfer scrap this week – over Brazil midfielder Fred.
City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted he cannot compete for the most expensive players in the world, in fees or wages, after losing out to United for Alexis Sanchez. But he can afford Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred, even though the player’s valuation has soared to a massive £50million.
Guardiola, in fact, wants to splash around £100m before Wednesday’s transfer window deadline – on TWO players.
City are in advanced talks for a club-record deal of £57m for Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte, 23.
The French defender, who is yet to be capped by his country, was left out of Bilbao’s match on Friday night in preparation for a switch which is expected to be completed within the next two days.
City want to back Guardiola in his Quadruple bid and could bring the summer transfer budget forward to get the Fred and Laporte deals done and over the line now.
The Daily Star Sunday PAUL HETHERINGTON Wigan 2 West Ham 0
ARTHUR MASUAKU was sent off for SPITTING at Wigan’s Nick Powell as West Ham crashed out of the FA Cup amid shameful scenes yesterday.
The Hammers winger was dismissed in the 49th minute of the Premier League club’s defeat at League One Wigan.
Masuaku will now be banned for six matches and West Ham boss David Moyes said: “What Arthur did was despicable and he deserves whatever punishment he gets.
“It’s unacceptable. I asked him if he spat and he said he had.”
Two goals from Will Grigg ensured that Latics progressed to tomorrow’s fifth-round draw.
The Northern Ireland international netted in each half for the 2013 winners.
Match report: RESULT! P8-9
But it now seems to have come down to a straight fight between the two title-contesting Mancunian heavyweights.
Guardiola will not want to lose out again to United boss Jose Mourinho – but after his comments on financial resources he must fear it could happen for the second time in this transfer window.
However, if Fred – who is seen by Guardiola as the long-term successor in the City engine room to fellow Brazilian Fernandinho – does not move this week, the two clubs will resume their battle for him in the summer.