Al-Hilal Star Edging Closer to Cut-Price Man United Move

Man United Continue Pushing for Long-Term Midfield Target

Man United’s midfield has needed some fresh blood for a number of years now, and yet with every transfer window, the club manages to bring the wrong players to the club without fail.

New midfielders have been introduced in recent years, but the slowing legs of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were never likely to impact the way they play, while Manuel Ugarte has been an unqualified failure at the club.

Ruben Neves is a target for Manchester United. He would cost about £20m and should his acquisition become viable there are funds available for his purchase or for any other player on the club’s transfer wishlist. #MUFC [@JamieJackson___]pic.twitter.com/VkizcLnOJw https://t.co/xaNMJLLnFm

— INEOS ERA (@MUNScout) January 16, 2026

What United have needed for a long time is a world-class, end-to-end general, and they finally seem set to get their man, with long-time target Ruben Neves on the verge of joining the Red Devils from Saudi side Al-Ahli.

Better Late Than Never

Neves has been linked with a move to Old Trafford since 2024, after just one season in Saudi Arabia. It’s easy to see why they have been chasing him for so long: in just two and a half seasons, the Portuguese international has bagged 18 goals and notched a superb 31 assists, his playmaking ability highlighted further thanks to playing in an inferior division to the Premier League.

Neves also proved he has more than enough talent to star in the English top flight; in five seasons there with Wolves, he scored 21 times and set up a further nine, all while playing a vital defensive role at the base of the Wolves midfield.

Part of the Wolves side that miraculously qualified for Europe, the central midfielder has long been seen as a supremely talented operator, and a move to Manchester United would see him finally get his long-awaited move to a big club.

The move is made all the more likely by the fact that Manchester United would have to pay just £20 million to acquire the 28-year-old's services – for a player at the peak of their powers, that is a serious discount.

Though Al-Ahli are reluctant to let him leave this summer, his contract expires in June, so if the Saudi club wish to receive a transfer fee instead of seeing him leave for free in six months, they should start lending some thought to Man United’s interest.

Rúben Neves, take a bow 😳🚀

🎥 @SPL_EN pic.twitter.com/Ry45Zed3sQ

— 433 (@433) January 8, 2026

It is clear that United is Neves’ preferable destination, with agent Jorge Mendes contacting United about the midfielder’s situation at Al-Ahli. However, Tottenham and Newcastle United are also hovering, and should United dither over making a bid, there is a chance that one of them could poach the accomplished midfielder from under their noses.

Still comfortably in his 20s and with plenty more to give, Neves has the quality and potential to turn a painfully inconsistent United side into Champions League contenders again. However, given United’s streaky history in transfer windows, it would surprise no-one if they missed their opportunity once again, and Neves joined a direct rival.