Shakhtar Donetsk president Rinat Akhmetov insists the club will get “exactly the amount he costs” for Manchester United target Fred.

The Reds are said to be in advanced talks with the Ukraine club for the Brazilian midfielder, 25, who was the subject of an approach from Manchester rivals City in January, but the Ukrainian outfit rejected a bid.

“You know that we had negotiations with Manchester City this winter, and there was an official offer – a very big figure,” Akhmetov told Futbol 1. “They offered us around €50m for Fred. And we had enough strength to reject it, because we were playing in the Champions League, we were finishing the Ukrainian League campaign.

Fred’s release clause is said to be €60m, but Akhmetov admits the club cannot insist on a particular fee if the market does not allow it.

“We’ll get exactly the amount he costs,” he added. “This will be a market price, the fair price, and it will be beneficial both for the club inviting Fred and for us. That is, I can somewhat feel that Fred will be more expensive than Fernandinho and [Alex] Teixeira.”

The player himself, meanwhile, insists he is “honoured” to be linked with two of Europe’s biggest clubs, but insists his focus is on the World Cup with his country.

Speaking at a press conference covered by Globo Esporte, Fred said on Friday: “The talks had been in progress since January with City. Soon after, City and United talked to Shakhtar and my agents. And now, if I’m not mistaken, there was news of a very strong bid from United.

“It is an honour to have the attention of the great coaches of Europe. As far as negotiations go, I am only (focused) on the World Cup. My agents are taking care of it.”