SURPRISE SIGNING: Manchester United finally to pay £70 million for Portuguese international

Manchester United need to pay £70 million for Portuguese international

Barcelona and Manchester United will have to fork out £70 million to sign Portuguese international Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

According to a report by Daily Telegraph, Barcelona and Manchester United know how much they will need to cough up to secure the services of Ruben Neves. Wolverhampton Wanderers will demand £70 million to part ways with the Portuguese international in the summer transfer window.

Ruben Neves has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League since joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from FC Porto in July 2017. While his decision to join a club in the EFL Championship raised many eyebrows, the 25-year-old has seen his stock skyrocket, thus vindicating his choice.

The Portuguese international has turned out 212 times for Wolves thus far, chipping in with 24 goals and 12 assists. But Neves’s time at the Molineux could soon end as he is reportedly keen on embarking on a new adventure in the summer transfer window. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona and Manchester United.

Barcelona and Neves have been in contact for some time, with Xavi Hernandez personally reaching out to the midfielder. And Neves is a viable candidate to be Sergio Busquets’s long-term successor, with the Barcelona captain in the twilight of his glittering career.

Recent reports have also claimed that Neves dreams about joining Barcelona, thereby giving the Blaugrana the impetus to push ahead by launching the offensive for him. But Barcelona will need to fend off stiff competition from Manchester United to secure the services of the Portuguese international.

The interest from Manchester United stems from the impending departure of Nemanja Matic, who recently announced that he will exit Old Trafford in the summer transfer window. And with the 25-year-old having extensive experience in the Premier League, Manchester United would have a solid asset onboard if they sign him.

But Neves will not come cheap, with Wolverhampton Wanderers set to demand around £70 million for the Portuguese international. Considering their financial troubles have not disappeared completely, the price tag could be beyond Barcelona’s means.

Manchester United might be able to afford to pay £70 million to sign Neves, but Wolves will likely put up a fight to retain his services. It will also be interesting to see if Barcelona can somehow fund a move for the midfielders in the summer transfer window.