#Manchester City are looking to step up their interest in Borussia Dortmund midfield Julian Weigl after pulling out of a deal to sign Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Weigl has been touted for a move away from Borussia Dortmund this summer by German media and Manchester City are ready to pounce on the chance to sign the highly rated individual.

22-year-old, Weigl, is widely rated as one of the best young midfield prospects in Europe, such that Guardiola is keen to add him to his playing staff this summer.

The German international moved to Dortmund form 1860 Munich in 2015 and has since gone on to make 68 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, scoring once.

However, it is the dynamism and energy that the youngster brings to the Dortmund side that has attracted interest in the holding midfielder from across Europe.

Manchester City are thought to be looking for a holding midfielder this summer, as a replacement for the out of contract Yaya Toure, with Guardiola unwilling to extend his current deal. Rivals Manchester United are also thought to be interested in Weigl, although Guardiola's side are thought to be leading the chase.

City drop interest in Shakhtar Donetsk's Fred

Weigl is thought to have become the Citizens' top midfield target this summer after they seemingly pulled out of a deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk's Fred.

Pep Guardiola is seemingly ready to allow rivals Manchester United to beat them to the signing of Fred, with the Spaniard ready to turn his attention to Weigl.

The Sky Blues were thought to be seriously deliberating a move for Shakhtar Donetsk's star player Fred, in the hope of further expanding Guardiola's midfield options next season.

However, with Manchester United now also thought to be interested in Fred, City are thought to have cooled their interest in the player.

It seems as though Manchester untied have once again pipped their rivals across the city to a signing, having already been a thorn in Guardiola's side in January after beating them to the signing of Alexis Sanchez.

Guardiola's run-away Premier League leaders were keen on the Brazilian midfielder in January but, with the Ukrainian side still in the #Champions League, they were unwilling to sell.

Manchester United are now thought to be leading the chase for Fred, resulting in City seemingly pulling out of a deal, in order to focus their attention on Weigl. Nevertheless, Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin has stated that Fred is expected to leave at the end of the season:

"Fred will leave in July. If he does not go to Manchester City, he will go to Manchester United," claimed Palkin.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED