Manchester United target considered forcing through move

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain target Fabinho has revealed he considering forcing through a move away from Monaco this summer.

Monaco sold more than £150m worth of talent during the summer and will double that figure when PSG make Kylian Mbappe’s loan stint permanent at the end of the current campaign.

Fabinho is one of the few players integral to their league-winning campaign that remained at Monaco over the summer, but the 24-year-old has now revealed he was closer to being part of the mass exodus.

“During the window it was difficult because I was not sure if I would be staying,” he told Nice Matin. “I was closer to leaving than staying.

“Playing in that context as not good. My head was elsewhere. Unconsciously, I was not giving my maximum. I was not trying to give a bad image, I could never do that.

“I was frustrated at the end of the window but I have turned the page. I could not forget what the club had promised me. I was sure I was right and I thought about fighting for it.

“But I discussed it with my friends, my family, my agent, it was not an easy decision. The image it would have given was not me. Even if it was the only solution, I did not want to clash with the club.”

Despite having mixed emotions about being forced to stay at Monaco, Fabinho has only missed 90 minutes of league action for Leonardo Jardim’s side this season.

In the last three campaigns, Fabinho has scored more penalties (14) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.