United and City target Fred wants to leave Shakhtar for bigger club

Fred wants to make a forward step in his career after telling Shakhtar Donetsk he plans to leave amid interest from Manchester United and Premier League champions Manchester City.

Brazil international midfielder Fred has been tipped to join either United or City in the off-season, having impressed domestically and in Europe this term.

Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin has already said the Manchester rivals will do battle for the 25-year-old, who is in Brazil’s 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia.

While happy at Donetsk, former Internacional star Fred feels ready for a challenge elsewhere in Europe.

“I’m very happy at Shakhtar,” Fred told SporTV. “I’ve been working well here but it has been five years.

“I made it clear to the club that I was very happy here but I want to make a bigger leap in my career.

“There are other clubs interested in England and France. I want to make a bigger leap, I made it clear to the club.

“Now I just have to wait to get through the World Cup and see which is the best destination.

“I think I have to change a little. I have dreams of playing in major clubs in Europe. I made it clear that it’s my moment.

“The club are reluctant to release [me]. I have a contract until 2021. As soon as I come back from the World Cup we will sit down, talk and look at the options.”