Man Utd Should Complete Ruben Neves Deal Before It’s Too Late

If Manchester United are going to get any January transfer business done, they will need to act quickly and that is particularly true of any interest in Ruben Neves.

The winter transfer window is closing in just five days’ time and United have yet to make a move to bring any new players into the club.

With a caretaker manager in charge in Michael Carrick, that is not entirely unexpected, with transfer funds likely being saved for the summer window when a new permanent manager will be in situ. But there are moves that could be made in the final few days, with United known to be in the market for a central midfielder.

Who Will Replace Casemiro At Old Trafford?

Casemiro will depart the club in the summer, at the expiration of his contract, leaving a big hole to fill in United’s midfield, with succession planning already under way.

United have been linked with a number of high-profile signings in that area of the pitch that are likely to cost big money when the summer comes around.

Carlos Baleba has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Brighton & Hove Albion likely to demand more than £100million for the Cameroonian. Elliot Anderson is another on United’s shortlist, with Nottingham Forest expected to ask for a similar amount.

Both Premier League rivals would be reluctant to sell two of their prized assets, which will make negotiating a deal very difficult indeed.

Ruben Neves Is The Cheap Option In The Summer

Neves is another name that has been linked that United could face difficulties in signing if they do not act quickly. The former Wolves midfielder, now at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, is out of contract in the summer and would have been on Manchester United’s radar to sign for free come July.

Gary Neville described £330,000-a-week Neves as a “top, top player” when he was starring in the Premier League for Wolves, saying he and fellow former Wolves star Joao Moutinho were “sensational”.

He will have other suitors, however, with Real Madrid also interested in signing him. But Los Blancos could also be hit hard in that respect, with news emerging that Neves is on the verge of extending his contract in Saudi.

New Ruben Neves Contract On The Table

According to journalist Gianluigi Longari, Neves has extended his deal to stay in the Saudi Pro League for another three years, although official confirmation has not yet surfaced.

Not only will United have to act quickly if they want to sign the 28-year-old ahead of Real Madrid, but they may have to bring forward their plans and sign Neves in the final days of the transfer window, before he commits his future to Al Hilal.

Related

Man Utd Table Formal Bid to Sign £340,000-a-Week Star in January, He’s Ready to Join

Man Utd have tabled a formal offer to sign Al Hilal star Ruben Neves this month, and he is ready to join.