Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed that Brazilian midfielder Fred will be the subject of a transfer tussle between Manchester United and Manchester City.

“Fred will leave in June. If not to Manchester City, then to Manchester United,” the club’s chief executive, Sergei Palkin, told Corriere dello Sport.

“He is ready for the best championships. In addition to being very good, Fred is very professional.”

The 25-year-old has been linked to City multiple times in recent months, with the midfielder himself issuing a come and get me plea to Pep Guardiola earlier this year.

He is considered a long-term option as a holding midfielder for both City and United. City’s Fernandinho is 32 years old and Yaya Toure will likely be moved on this summer, while United’s Michael Carrick is retiring at the end of the season.

The two Premier League clubs battled it out for Alexis Sanchez in January, with the Chilean choosing to join Jose Mourinho and United after a long courtship by City proved fruitless. Now, they’re set to duel over a transfer yet again.