Man United could now sign player Matheus Cunha knows well for ‘£15m’
Man United could sign Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves for just £15million in the January transfer window.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes Neves would be a “very good acquisition” for Man United.
Neves has been linked with a move back to the Premier League, after leaving Wolves for Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Ruben Amorim is keen to sign a new midfielder at Man United, which could be sped up after Bruno Fernandes picked up an injury against Aston Villa.
Ruben Amorim ‘a big fan’ of Ruben Neves
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Neves could run into tax issues when leaving Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that Neves would have to take a pay cut to return to the Premier League.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Yeah, well, it’d be up to him really to decide if he’s prepared to cut his wages to come back into the Premier League. And I think he may well do that.
“A lot will depend, though, on the tax ramifications of leaving Saudi early. A lot of tax consequences when you leave after a full tax year, et cetera. We obviously don’t know the personal details of how that would work out for him and where he’s domiciled and all those sorts of things will come into it.
“But I think that he may be one that would come to United. I think given some of the injuries that United have had as well. Neves can play different roles, play a little bit deeper. And I think also that Amorim would be a big fan and have him there as well.
“And I think linking back up with [Matheus] Cunha would be interesting as well for them. So I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the one, that might be around the 15 million mark from what I’m hearing, even as low as that for Neves. That’s more like it in terms of a strengthening position, and I think he’d be a very good acquisition for United if they were to get him. It’s whether Al-Hilal will deal, and we’ll see what happens.”
Man United weigh up midfield options
Man United may have to pay up to £100m to sign Adam Wharton or Carlos Baleba, who are two of their top midfield targets.
Conor Gallagher could be a cheaper alternative, and could move in the January window, amid Amorim’s need to strengthen his squad.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future is still in doubt at Old Trafford, whilst Casemiro’s contract expires at the end of the season, although the club have an option to extend it by a further year.