Manchester United send scouts to watch Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves in action against Brighton & Hove Albion
According to the Birmingham Mail, Manchester United sent a senior scout to watch Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves in action against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League over the weekend.
Neves and Co. took on an impressive Brighton side at the Molineux and fell to a disappointing 3-0 loss to Graham Potter’s side, which will come as a blow to their ambitions to qualify for European football next season.
The Portuguese star failed to hit his usual heights in midfield during the game, after returning from injury. He was unable to get anything going for his team, as they fell behind in the first half itself through an Alexis Mac Allister penalty before the half-time whistle.
Things could have been worse for the Molineux outfit, as they saw a penalty kick being missed earlier in the half through Mac Allister himself. The Seagulls man finally got his moment of redemption minutes later through another spot kick.
No British record fee for Neves
United had sent a senior scout to watch Neves in action in person, but the player did not give much to talk about as he was taken off at half-time. The Manchester side is still interested in snapping up the midfielder, but his price tag would have been a bone of contention.
It was previously assumed that Wolves were expecting a British record fee for the 25-year-old, as claimed by their manager Bruno Lage. Now, however, it is said that they only want a ‘significant increase’ on the £45m they received for the sale of Diogo Jota to Liverpool in 2020.
Neves may have had a bad game against Brighton over the weekend, but he had been impressive throughout the season for his side. The Portugal international has been the driving force of his team’s midfield over the past few years, alongside club and country teammate Joao Moutinho.
The former Porto star has been crucial in Wolves’ rise to the Premier League, being an integral part of the squad that helped them gain promotion from the Championship. His performances for the Wolverhampton side have made him a fan favourite as well, but his time with the team may now be coming to a close.
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Neves has experience in England, is of an ideal age profile where he has a lot of years still ahead of him and is a fierce central midfielder who can be an asset to the team on and off the ball. The ball would now be in the court of United’s board with regards to what they want to do with their interest in the ex-FC Porto man.
If they do snap him up before the start of the new campaign, he could surpass Jota as Wolves’ biggest sale in the history of their club. It remains to be seen what happens to the player in the summer, and whether the Red Devils are willing to fork out the money needed to sign him.