In a stunning turn of events, Manchester United midfielder Fred’s potential move to Italian giants Lazio has fallen through due to the intervention of a familiar face – former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri.
The Brazilian player, deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, found himself at the center of transfer negotiations that were seemingly on the verge of fruition.
Chairman Claudio Lotito of Lazio had expressed strong interest in acquiring Fred, viewing him as a valuable addition to the squad.
However, when the proposal reached Maurizio Sarri’s desk, he swiftly pulled the plug on the deal. The reason was straightforward: Sarri simply didn’t want Fred at Lazio.
This is not the first time Sarri has wielded his power to shut down potential transfers. He has a history of suggesting players he wants to bring in while rejecting others on the club’s wishlist. Among those rejected earlier were Giovani Lo Celso, who was also on Lotito’s radar.
Instead of Fred, Sarri reportedly expressed his desire to sign Piotr Zielinski and Samuele Ricci, signaling a clear preference for midfield reinforcements.
Sarri’s veto, however, has paved the way for Fred to potentially move to Galatasaray unchallenged. The Turkish club has allegedly agreed on personal terms with the player, but they are yet to finalize a transfer fee with Manchester United.
Fred, who joined the Red Devils in 2018 for a hefty £52 million, has had a mixed tenure at Old Trafford. While he helped the club secure the League Cup last season and amassed 213 appearances, he has faced scrutiny over justifying his significant price tag.
Meanwhile, in the backdrop of this transfer saga, Manchester United has also suffered a setback with teenage star Kobbie Mainoo. The promising talent sustained an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly against Real Madrid, ruling him out for the initial part of the upcoming season. This setback may hasten United’s pursuit of Fiorentina and Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
Reports suggest that both Liverpool and Manchester United were keen on signing Amrabat, but the player has reportedly shown a preference for the latter. United is said to have made a bid of £21.5 million for the 26-year-old, who impressed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, Fiorentina is holding out for around £26 million for their prized asset.