Lazio owner Claudio Lotito has said that Biancocelesti manager Maurizio Sarri vetoed a move for Manchester United midfielder Fred this summer.
The 30-year-old Fred faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford, having entered the final year of his contract.
He is one of the players Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag is willing to offload to boost his transfer kitty and make room for potential recruits like Sofyan Amrabat.
A move to Italy has been mooted as an option for the Manchester United man, with Lazio said to be interested.
Biancocelesti are in the market for a central midfielder and mulled over a move for the Brazil international.
However, they decided against pursuing a deal for him at Sarri’s discretion, according to Lotito.
“I was prepared to open talks with Man United and bid for Fred, but Maurizio Sarri told me no — he doesn’t want Fred,” Lotito told Italian regional daily Il Messaggero.
“He did the same with (Giovani) Lo Celso. … Sarri wants (Piotr) Zielinski and (Samuele) Ricci.”
Fred has been on Manchester United’s books since joining them from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk for €59 million in 2018.
