Manchester United have officially accelerated their pursuit of Ruben Neves, with the club reportedly submitting a formal offer in the region of £20m (€23m) to test Al-Hilal’s resolve. Reports from the Daily Express indicate that technical director Jason Wilcox is pushing to secure the Portuguese midfielder as the first marquee signing of the Michael Carrick interim era.
The Contract Standoff and Madrid "Twist"
The situation in Riyadh has reached a breaking point. Neves, now 28, has entered the final six months of his contract and has reportedly rejected multiple extension offers from the Saudi Pro League champions. While Al-Hilal are open to a January sale to recoup a fee rather than losing a £47m asset for nothing, a significant complication has emerged.
Sources in Spain suggest that Real Madrid have signalled their intent to sign Neves on a free transfer in the summer. This "twist" has left the player at a crossroads: push for an immediate return to the Premier League to spearhead United’s Champions League charge, or see out his lucrative contract and move to the Bernabéu in July. United’s £20m bid is designed to force the issue, offering Al-Hilal an immediate financial solution that Madrid cannot match mid-season.
Carrick’s Midfield Vision
For Carrick, the need for Neves is tactical as much as it is psychological. Since taking the reins from Ruben Amorim earlier this month, the interim boss has sought to restore a level of composure to a midfield that was often chaotic under his predecessor. Neves fits the profile of the deep-lying playmaker Carrick himself once personified—capable of dictating tempo and offering defensive security.
The Ruben Neves next club odds have shortened significantly on a United move in the last 24 hours, suggesting the market believes Al-Hilal’s desire to sell may outweigh Madrid’s future promises.
The Loftus-Cheek Contingency
Aware of the complexities involving Madrid, United have seemingly lined up a contingency plan. Reports claim that Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been offered to the club on a six-month loan from AC Milan. The former Chelsea midfielder is unsettled in Italy and would offer a cheaper, albeit different, solution to United’s midfield depth issues.
However, the hierarchy views Loftus-Cheek strictly as a "Plan B." The priority remains Neves, whose Premier League provenance with Wolves is viewed as a safer bet for a squad that needs immediate results to salvage a top-four finish. Meanwhile, a separate pursuit of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta appears to be stalling, with Aston Villa now leading the race, reinforcing United's focus on getting the Neves deal over the line first.