Reports have emerged that Manchester United could have an opportunity to sign former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves in a cut-price deal this January, as manager Ruben Amorim looks to improve his team’s midfield.
Rúben Neves, 28, left Wolves in 2023 to make a move to the Saudi Pro League. Although he was linked with big Premier League clubs, the midfielder opted to follow many players who had moved to the Middle East, and Al Hilal was his destination. The move came as somewhat of a shock, given his age, but at 26, Neves said goodbye to Europe.
Despite regular international call-ups and no sign of unrest, rumours of a transfer have now begun to intensify given that the Portuguese’s contract is set to expire in the summer. It is reported that a fee of under £20 million would be enough to prize Neves away from Al Hilal, but his wages are expected to be very high.
It is no secret that Manchester United are in the market for a midfielder, although a significant move in January currently seems unlikely. The midfield needs improving, so the club will be looking for opportunities to strengthen the midfield midway through the season, and a cut-price fee for Neves could be of interest to Utd and Rúben Amorim.
Before leaving for Saudi Arabia, Neves spent six years at Wolves, including five seasons in the Premier League. Renowned for his long-range goals and precise set-piece taking, he quickly made a name for himself in England and attracted interest from top clubs around Europe.
Despite three seasons away from the top level of football, Neves has still featured regularly for Portugal and is likely to go to the World Cup this summer. It could be a risk, but with Utd needing improvements in the centre of the pitch, Neves could be the perfect short-term solution for Amorim’s side.
Neves has spoken on European return before
Yet to sign a new contract with Al Hilal, Neves is set to be a free agent in the summer. This feels like an unlikely outcome for Neves, with an extension or a January transfer expected. His situation has sparked discussion about his future, and United, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked.
However, back in the summer, Neves hinted at a move away from Saudi Arabia, but his words do not suggest a return to England’s top flight. Instead, Neves expressed his desire to return to his boyhood club Porto in the future.
Neves left the Portuguese giants aged 20 to sign for Wolves in 2017 in a deal worth around £16 million. At Wolves, he became a legend and enjoyed a six-year stay in the Midlands, later becoming the club’s record sale when Al Hilal paid a reported £47 million to secure his signature.
In an interview with Portuguese channel Sport TV earlier this year, Neves said, “I’ve said it in all the interviews – it’s not coming back to finish your career, it’s going back to play and be competitive: that’s my big goal.
“Fortunately, I’m 28 years old and I feel very good physically. This is a career goal, because I wasn’t champion at Porto and having a family of over 60 people who support the club, it’s something I want to give them and experience [for myself].
“I used to go to the Aliados to celebrate Porto’s titles, but now I want to be on the other side and want to see my family celebrate.”
Is Neves a serious option for United?
According to Caught Offside, United have been given renewed hope in their attempts to sign Rúben Neves from Al Hilal as soon as January.
A deal worth £18 million is said to be on the table, which is seen as a lower price than some of the other midfield targets reported. At the same time, Newcastle are interested in the Portugal international.
These rumours are understandable given the price and Utd’s need for a midfielder. It also rumoured that Amorim is keen to bring his compatriot to the club if a deal can be done. Neves would bring experience and quality to the midfield, but concerns around his mentality and lucrative wages are fair.
Kobbie Mainoo may be allowed to leave the club on loan this January, which would lead to United bringing in at least one midfield signing, if not two. During his time at Wolves, Neves displayed his versatility and X-factor quality.
He would undoubtedly improve United options, due to an ageing partnership of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro and a lack of trusted depth. However, his wages could be a major stumbling block in Utd’s pursuit.
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