Everton door opens to seal shock Fred transfer in January amid major development at Fenerbahce
Everton were heavily linked with a surprise move for Fred during the summer transfer window.
The Toffees were keen to bolster their options at the base of the midfield before the start of the new Premier League campaign, and had previously outlined the former Manchester United man as a potential option.
Everton were serious in their pursuit of Fred in the summer, but ultimately struggled to get a deal done with Fenerbahce due to Jose Mourinho’s insistence that he stay in Istanbul.
David Moyes and Co. were forced to explore other possibilities in the latter stages of the window, but the door has now opened for them to reignite their chase this winter.
Fenerbahce’s new manager wants to replace Fred
Fred would have provided valuable experience for Everton had they been able to land him in the summer, but the opportunity could still be there for them in January.
Mourinho was dismissed by the Fenerbahce hierarchy after his failure to qualify for the league phase of the Champions League at the end of August, and new boss Domenico Tedesco wants changes.
- Fred has amassed 32 senior caps for Brazil during his career
- He previously spent five seasons with United, playing over 200 games for them
- He also has 40 games of experience in the Champions League
The Italian is keen to try and replace Fred in his midfield, with Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka seen as the ideal replacement, according to Fanatik.
Goretzka is out of favour with the German giants, and previously played under Tedesco during his time at Schalke as a youngster.
This has all been discussed as part of a meeting with Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran, which seemingly suggests that the writing is on the wall for Fred.
Even if Goretzka ultimately doesn’t prove to be a viable target, it is clear that the Brazilian is no longer seen as a satisfactory option.
Fred would fill a hole in the squad for Everton
Everton ultimately added Merlin Rohl to their midfield ranks in the final stages of the summer window, but there is still a need for further reinforcements in that area of the pitch.
The Merseysiders effectively have just four players to fill the two positions at the base of their midfield, and there are concerns regarding Tim Iroegbunam’s ability at Premier League level.
With that in mind, Fred could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for them in January, especially considering the stance taken by Fenerbahce would likely see him available for a relatively small fee.
The 32-year-old has over 135 games of Premier League experience, and will be desperate to prove himself once again after receiving criticism during his time at Old Trafford.
Moyes has a reputation for getting the best out of his players, and Fred could become the next man to turn a corner under his guidance.
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