5 stars who seem destined for the Premier League this summer

#4 Fred

Fred (centre) could be the natural successor to Fernandinho at Manchester City

One of the bigger upsets from this season’s Champions League was that Shakhtar Donetsk were able to progress through the group stage ahead of Italian giants Napoli, even beating Manchester City along the way. They might’ve been eliminated since by Roma, but they opened some eyes and one of their key players was Brazilian midfielder Fred, who was ever-present during the campaign.

A fleet-footed midfielder who is capable of using either foot and has magnificent ball control, Fred has shown that he’s equally skilled as an attacker – he chipped in with 1 goal and 1 assist in the Champions League – and as a more defensive midfielder too – the position he learned under legendary holding man Dunga during his time at Internacional. And at just 25 he’s probably only just entering his prime.

Current rumours have both Manchester clubs interested in Fred, but it seems like City is his more likely destination – Pep Guardiola has apparently been promised a multi-million war chest to spend in the summer and sees Fred as the natural successor to another former Shakhtar midfielder in Fernandinho. The Brazilian wouldn’t necessarily be the most glamorous signing, but he’d certainly fill a role in Guardiola’s side – and could cost a lot of money too if he impresses in this summer’s World Cup.