AS Monaco right back Fabinho. (Photo : Reuters)
Word is out that current Serie A league leader Inter Milan is joining Manchester United and Manchester City in the January battle for AS Monaco's young defender Fabinho.
TalkSport noted that the 21-year-old Brazilian had long been the target of "both Manchester clubs" following his impressive performance during last season's Champions League where he helped bring Les Rouges et Blancs to the quarterfinals.
Fabinho appeared in 45 games in two seasons for the Club of the Principality and has been one of Leonardo Jardim best players at his position.
Recent speculations emerged that the 6-foot-2 Campinas, Brazil native might end up with former teammate Geoffrey Kondogbia at San Siro in Italy rather than in England as Internazionale manager Roberto Mancini is said to be a long-time fan of the youthful right back.
Caught Offside indicated that of the two Manchester teams, Manuel Pellegrini's side needs Fabinho more than Louis van Gaal's despite the recent horrible injury suffered by the Red Devils' 20-year-old left back Luke Shaw.
Van Gaal is reportedly seeking a replacement this January and dozens of transfer rumors have emerged because of it.
The list of options for the 63-year-old mentor is long, which includes Paris Saint-Germain's Marquinhos, West Ham United's Aaron Cresswell, Real Madrid's Raphaël Varane, Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne, and Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin.
Meanwhile, Pellegrini is said to be looking to install more young players in its backfield come the winter window as City's two best defenders, Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna, are already playing in their thirties.
