FRED is a shock name on Paris Saint-Germain’s hitlist – despite Manchester United triggering a 12-month extension on his contract.
The Brazilian’s current deal was set to run out next summer and the club acted earlier this week to stop him from leaving on a free.
But that has not deterred the French giants, who are long-term admirers and want him to bolster their engine room.
United wouldn’t consider business for anything less than £30million, yet that fee certainly won’t put off mega-rich PSG.
And the chance of joining international colleagues Neymar and Marquinhos in the French capital is sure to appeal to a man who has struggled to nail down a regular slot at Old Trafford.
United boss Erik ten Hag remains a big fan of Fred and has been impressed by his attitude, despite limited starts.
Yet the midfielder has fought a constant battle to hold down a place under various Old Trafford managers since his £54m signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018.
Fred had hoped the £70m arrival of Brazilian team-mate Casemiro from Real Madrid in the summer would see them anchoring the midfield as they do regularly for their country.
But Ten Hag has been partnering Casemiro with Christian Eriksen, and Fred has made just four Premier League starts this season.
He turns 30 in March and knows he will have a better chance of regular starts with PSG, who have previous when it comes to signing United midfielders.
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Three years ago they took a similar path to land Spaniard Ander Herrera on a free transfer when his contract expired.
United moved quickly to ensure they could at least command a fee should Fred decide he wants out – but the asking price certainly won’t put off the French champions.
They have also just triggered similar 12-month extensions for Marcus Rashford, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw, who have yet to commit to new deals.
PSG have a long-held interest in Rashford, with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi openly admitting he would love to sign him.
But while United would be open to business over Fred at the right price, they have no intention of losing a striker who Ten Hag sees as the key man to his rebuilding plans.
