Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho has disclosed that he will be joining a club in Manchester in the winter transfer window, but has stopped short of revealing the name of the club in question.
The 27-year-old Brazilian has been a key figure in Shakhtar’s wonderful performance in the Champions League so far this season. The Ukrainian club has qualified into the knock-out rounds of the European competition, eliminating reigning champions Chelsea in the process.
Fernandinho, who joined Shakhtar back in 2005 from Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense, has been a revelation in the past two seasons. He is a versatile midfielder who can play in the holding role, but is competent while going forward in attack. Fernandinho, along with Willian and Mkhitaryan has been the lynchpin of Shakhtar’s midfield.
The Brazilian international has drawn interest from various clubs across Europe. Tottenham, Inter and Juventus were linked with a move for the midfielder earlier this season, but now it seems that a Manchester club has stolen the march on them.
Fernandinho in a recent interview has revealed that he is close to signing a deal with a club in Manchester this January but has stopped short of revealing the name of the club he is about to join.
Fernandinho was quoted in Calciomercato:
“I am closing a deal with an English club. I will play in Manchester in January.”
The only question that remains is whether it is Manchester United or Manchester City.
United do lack a holding midfielder who can dictate play from the back. Michael Carrick isn’t getting any younger, while Fletcher’s fitness remains a concern. United’s weakness in the midfield has been exposed far too often this season and Fernandinho will certainly add a lot of steel and creativity to Sir Alex’s side.
Manchester City on the other hand do have a lot of options in that position of the park in Gareth Barry, Jack Rodwell and new signing Javi Garcia. It seems irrational that Mancini would buy another defensive midfielder this winter.
Manchester United seems to the most probable destination for the Brazilian during the winter transfer window, although either of the club is yet to announce any official deal. Fernandinho would certainly plug a big hole in United’s midfield and provide them with further ammunition for their title challenge this season.
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