Man United ‘in contact’ over Ruben Neves deal, ‘it’s not the only player we’re looking at’
Man United have been made aware of Ruben Neves’ availability in the January transfer window as he eyes a return to Premier League football.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade and remains very well-connected there, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 28-year-old has been on the club’s radar for “years”.
Neves is a client of renowned super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has close connections at United and has made contact with the club about the midfielder’s future.
This comes after Football Insider revealed that Man United are desperate to sign a midfielder and are assessing a number of options for the position.
Tottenham and Newcastle are also interested in Neves, and could rival Ruben Amorim‘s side in their pursuit as he is now expected to leave Al Hilal.
Man United in contact over Ruben Neves deal
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Neves could join Man United this month against a backdrop of a major reshuffle in Saudi Arabian football.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Old Trafford during the club’s most successful period, insisted that the Portugal international would tick a number of boxes for Amorim’s side.
“Man United are certainly looking at Ruben Neves,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ve had eyes on him for years, since his time at Wolves, they know a lot about him and have been keeping tabs on how he’s getting on in Saudi Arabia.
“Now, they’ve been made aware that he might be available and his agent has been in contact.
“He’s got strong links at United so this is not the only player he’s put forward in the last couple of windows, and everybody knows they want a midfielder.
“Neves is somebody who would tick a lot of boxes in the middle of the park, so it would make a lot of sense if he did become available.
“Obviously they won’t be the only ones aware of the situation, but it’s something they have been alerted to and have been looking at.”
Man United’s top midfield target revealed
Despite ongoing communications about a potential deal for Neves, United are considering a number of options to strengthen in the middle of the park.
Brown told Football Insider on 30 December that Elliot Anderson is Man United’s top target and they are prepared to do everything possible to land his signature.
His performances both for Nottingham Forest and England have caught the eye of United’s recruitment staff as they desperately seek to bolster Amorim’s midfield.
However, the deal may be difficult to do in the upcoming transfer window after Football Insider revealed that Sean Dyche will not sell Anderson in January.
As a result, Man United could be forced to wait until the end of the season to land their man, but are determined to beat a growing list of rival suitors to his signature.
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