Ruben Neves has emerged as an option for Manchester United in the January transfer window with the Portugal midfielder keen on a return to the Premier League.
Neves, who joined Al-Hilal from Wolves for £47million in 2023, will be out of contract in the summer and the Saudi Pro League club are prepared to let him go for around £20m next month.
United are in the market for a defensive midfielder with Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Mauel Ugarte all facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford.
Casemiro has been linked with a move to MLS at the end of his contract on June 30, Ugarte is attracting interest from Turkey after making just two Premier League starts this season, and Mainoo will make another attempt to leave next month after his request to join Napoli on loan in August was rejected by United.
Club sources have stressed that there won’t be any panic moves in January, only deals that can be brought forward six months from the summer. Among the names being discussed are Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Conor Gallagher, Carlos Baleba, Tyler Adams and Joao Gomes.
Neves, who turns 29 in March, is older but does have the benefit of having played in the Premier League during a six-year career at Wolves. As yet, there is no confirmation of any interest from United in the former Porto player who has also been linked with Newcastle.
Ruben Neves has emerged as an option for Manchester United as he is keen to leave Saudi Arabia and return to the Premier League
Al-Hilal made an audacious attempt to sign Bruno Fernandes last summer and could try again at the end of the season after the United captain admitted this week to being hurt that the club were prepared to sell him for more than £100m.
