Fiorentina ‘launch £18m transfer bid for Man Utd flop Fred’ who cost £52m a year ago

FIORENTINA have launched an £18million transfer bid for Manchester United flop Fred, Italian reports claim.

The Brazilian midfielder cost United £52m last summer but after 25 appearances for the club manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not see him as a fit at Old Trafford.

According to La Nazione, Fiorentina are willing to pay £14m up front with the rest in bonuses.

However, it is claimed Old Trafford bosses have set a £27m price tag on the unsettled 26-year-old and will demand a 30 per cent sell on clause.

Fred has been left out of the squad for United’s three opening Premier League matches.

It is understood United turned down several loan enquiries from clubs across Europe for the Brazilian, instead seeking a permanent sale.

And Solskjaer was urged by club legend Peter Schmeichel to be ruthless and get rid of any deadweight in the squad.

The Old Trafford boss splashed £145m on summer transfers bringing in defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as well as winger Daniel James.

United recouped half of their spending after selling Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan for £73m - but there are still potential casualties with the European window slamming shut on September 2.

Chilean forward Alexis Sanches is braced to link up with Lukaku in Milan as Inter close in on loan deal for the Old Trafford flop.

United will still have to pay half of Sanchez’s £505,000 a-week wages, and the Serie A chiefs can make the move permanent for £14m next season.