Manchester United have made an official bid to bring Ruben Neves back to the Premier League, sparking renewed interest in the Portuguese midfielder.
According to a recent report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Neves has been identified by Old Trafford officials as the ideal candidate to inject balance, leadership, and quick experience into their midfield engine room.
Chelsea have also shown interest in Neves but Man United seem to have made the first move.
Neves’ current contract with Al-Hilal expires in June, making this January window the Saudi club’s last chance to recoup the transfer fee rather than risk losing him for free in the summer.
Although Al-Hilal are under no financial pressure to sell, the report claims that they are seriously considering offers close to €23m (£19.2m). United’s proposal is said to be on that list, although negotiations are still ongoing regarding the payment structure and add-ons.
Ultimately, the final call may rest with the player, especially regarding salary expectations.
Ruben Neves’ salary compared to Man United’s salary structure
One of the biggest obstacles to this transfer will be financial. Ruben Neves is currently one of the highest paid midfielders in Saudi Arabia.
In order for him to return to England, he will have to adjust his expectations to fit United’s wage bill.
According to data from Capology, Manchester United’s wage structure is higher than Casemiro, who earns £350,000 per week, closely followed by captain Bruno Fernandes at $300,000 per week.
Neves’ current package in Saudi Arabia is close to £390,000 a week.
| The player | The club | Weekly Earnings (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Ruben Neves | Al-Hilal SFC | 390,000 |
| Casemiro | Manchester United | 350,000 |
| Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | 300,000 |
Data via Capology
With INEOS set to bolster United’s wage bill, Neves will likely need to accept a pay cut to make the move work.
Any offer is expected to put him below the team’s top earners, while still reflecting his experience and status.
Ruben Neves is Premier League proven
For United, Neves’ appeal lies in his ability to fit right into the team.
Unlike other targets who may need time to adjust to the pace of English football, Neves has proven himself in the Premier League with Wolves.
During his six-year spell at Molineux, Neves made 177 Premier League appearances, scoring 21 goals and providing 9 assists. In all competitions, he scored 30 goals and assisted 13 in 253 games.
| The club | Appearance | Goals | It helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolves | 253 | 30 | 13 |
| Al-Hilal SFC | 112 | 17 | 28 |
| FC Porto | 93 | 4 | 3 |
| Total Activities | 458 | 51 | 44 |
Ruben Neves statistics via Transfermarkt
He was instrumental in Wolves’ promotion to European qualification, often wearing the captain’s armband.
His proven track record of controlling games and scoring spectacular goals from distance makes him a low-risk, high-reward option for a United side desperate for consistency.
