Former Manchester United midfielder Fred close to agreeing move to boyhood club

According to Brazilian journalist Guilherme Frossard, Atletico Mineiro are currently in talks to bring the midfielder back to the club which he supported as a child.

Posting on X, Frossard wrote: “Atlético Mineiro has ongoing negotiations (and they’re progressing well) to acquire midfielder Fred starting in the middle of the year.

“As we previously reported, there was an attempt at the beginning of 2026, but it didn’t work out because it was the middle of the European season. For the second half of the year, the chances are high.”

The journalist reports that Mineiro first attempted to secure the move earlier in 2026, but were unable to complete a deal because Fred was still in the middle of the European campaign.

Negotiations are now said to be progressing with the aim of bringing the midfielder back to Brazil later in the year.

Manchester United fans still remember Fred’s Old Trafford spell

Fred joined Manchester United in a £52 million move from Shakhtar Donetsk and went on to make more than 200 appearances for the club across all competitions, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023.

During his time at Old Trafford, the Brazilian became known for his energy, pressing and willingness to cover ground in midfield.

While opinions among supporters were sometimes mixed, many United fans appreciated his work rate and commitment whenever he pulled on the shirt.