Manchester United’s pursuit of Ruben Neves has accelerated significantly in the last 24 hours, with reports indicating that the club has now entered "advanced talks" with Al-Hilal regarding a January transfer. According to Football Insider, the Red Devils are confident of striking a deal that would see the former Wolves captain return to the Premier League just 18 months after his shock departure to Saudi Arabia.
Ashworth Pushes for Control
The urgency of the move is being driven by sporting director Jason Wilcox and interim manager Michael Carrick, both of whom have identified a critical lack of control in United’s engine room. While Manuel Ugarte offers ball-winning aggression, the squad has lacked a deep-lying playmaker capable of dictating tempo.
Sources suggest that Neves, 28, has privately communicated his desire to return to elite European football to cement his place in Portugal’s starting XI ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This leverage has allowed United to push for a fee structure that, while substantial, falls below the £47m Al-Hilal paid in 2023. Negotiations are understood to be centred around a guaranteed fee in the region of £30m, with performance-related add-ons.
Tactical Fit: The Carrick Blueprint
For Carrick, Neves represents a tactical necessity. The interim boss wants to implement a possession-based style that requires a "quarterback" figure at the base of midfield—a role Neves mastered during his time at Molineux. His Premier League provenance is a key factor; there is no adaptation period required, a luxury United cannot afford as they chase a top-four finish.
Statistically, Neves outperformed every current United midfielder in terms of progressive passing distance and switches of play during his final season in England. His arrival would allow Kobbie Mainoo to operate further forward, releasing the youngster from the burden of deep build-up play.
The Financial Compromise
The primary hurdle remains wages. Neves earns a reported tax-free salary in Riyadh that United cannot—and will not—match under INEOS’s tighter financial structure. However, it is understood that Neves is willing to accept a significant pay cut to facilitate the move, prioritising sporting ambition over the final years of his Saudi contract.
The betting markets have reacted sharply to the "advanced talks" update. The Ruben Neves next club odds have collapsed, with United now the overwhelming favourites to secure his signature. While Newcastle United were previously monitoring the situation, their PSR constraints have left the door open for Old Trafford chiefs to wrap up what could be the defining deal of the winter window.