Man Utd handed boost in signing £47m star as Real Madrid drop out of race
Manchester United have been handed a boost in signing Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves, with Real Madrid reluctant to pursue a winter deal, according to Record (page 25).
The Red Devils are exploring the transfer market for a possible signing. The club’s hierarchy plan to hold an internal meeting with interim manager Michael Carrick to analyse targets.
Neves has been frequently linked with United, and Record claim that the club could have a clear run at signing him, with Madrid distancing themselves from the Portuguese star.
The midfielder’s current deal with Al-Hilal expires on June 30. Los Blancos have no plans of paying a transfer fee. They are not eyeing a mid-season addition. This has put United in a strong position to purchase the 28-year-old.
Record claim that the Red Devils would be willing to pay £17.4 million for the versatile midfielder, who moved to Al-Hilal from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £47m in June 2023.
Neves speculation could be agent-driven
The former Wolves captain has been offered a new lucrative deal at Al-Hilal, but he has his sights on returning to European football. Madrid are his preferred destination, as per AS.
Despite the change of manager, Madrid president Florentino Perez is not looking to make any mid-season transfers. Neves is therefore not in contention to join the La Liga giants.
Neves’ super-agent Jorge Mendes is probably looking for an alternative European club. He has brought several players to United in the past, including Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte has struggled for playing time during the campaign and has been linked with a loan move to Ajax. In our view, it is unlikely that the club will make a winter approach for Neves.
Neves will be 29 in March and does not provide a resale value, which United’s hierarchy may seek.
Furthermore, his wage demands could be pretty high. He is on £288,000 per week (tax-free) in Saudi and may want at least £250,000 weekly to join the Red Devils during the transfer window.
United, on the other hand, could hold out for £150,000-£180,000 per week. It is the range where summer signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko currently earn.
We simply don’t see United making a huge salary outlay, having sought to lower their hefty wage bill. Casemiro could be released on a free transfer this summer for that reason.
Barcelona’s Marc Casado, also represented by Mendes, has been linked with United. It could be a similar situation where Mendes is trying to persuade United to sign his client this winter.
United are more likely to keep Ugarte to compete with Casemiro for the number six role. With the change of manager and formation, Kobbie Mainoo is poised to start regularly in the central midfield position. He has already received assurances from Carrick this month.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .