Manchester United have reportedly been given the chance to sign Wolves’ Ruben Neves but the Red Devils might not find it easy to bring him on board.
ESPN’s Rob Dawson has claimed, as cited by the Stretford Paddock: “Manchester United have been offered the option to bid for Ruben Neves, but there is firm interest from clubs in LaLiga and others in the Premier League as well.”
United are clearly not the only club who are interested in signing Ruben Neves because EPL rivals like Arsenal and Spurs have had a keen interest in him and even Barcelona are said to be watching.
Neves has been a key figure in Wolves’ midfielder, scoring 24 goals in 207 games for the club and up until now, the 25-year-old was thought to be the cheaper alternative to Declan Rice.
Manchester United have been offered the option to bid for Ruben Neves, but there is firm interest from clubs in LaLiga and others in the Premier League as well. [@RobDawsonESPN] 👀
The midfield needs strengthening in the summer, should he be one of the main targets? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/3LdcuvfOnh
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) April 29, 2022
£100M for the transfer of Ruben Neves?
Most reports had indicated that a bid of around £40-50 million will be enough to persuade Wolves on a summer sale but Bruno Lage has now surprised everyone by saying that Ruben Neves is worth a lot more.
‘In these days we need to be ready for everything, especially a club like Wolves,’ Lage said, as per the Mail.
‘I’ve said before that the value of players like Ruben is £100million or above. We need to be aware of everything. We cannot lose a big opportunity.
‘Anything can happen, not just with Ruben, and if we want to improve our squad we have to have players on our radar – the best guys at the best price. My chairman and sporting director already know what we need if something happens in any position.’
Ruben Neves has two more years left on his current deal so there’s no way a club will be ready to pay £100 million for him. If teams like Arsenal, Spurs or Man United are seriously considering spending £100m they would much rather add £20-30m more to that budget and go after Declan Rice.
Lage is obviously quoting such high numbers to keep the suitors away but there’s a very big chance that Neves will be on his way out in the summer.
Barcelona are a very good option for the 25-year-old and if he wishes to stay in the Premier League then he has multiple options as well. Out of Arsenal, United and Spurs whichever side secures a UCL spot, that team will be in the driver’s seat to sign him.
Ruben Neves to head to Manchester or London?
As things stand, Man United are going to miss out on Declan Rice so they are likely to trigger Plan B. Also, some rumours have suggested that Ten Hag doesn’t want United to go after an expensive player like Rice and if this is true then Ruben Neves will definitely move up United’s transfer wishlist.
Having said that, if either Arsenal or Spurs can secure a top-four finish then they will have a very realistic chance to bring in Ruben Neves during the summer.
His actual transfer price should not be a problem for either of the two London sides so whichever team gets back in the Champions League, the scales are likely to tip in their favour.
