Manchester United’s Conditions for Signing Rúben Neves Revealed: £200k Weekly Wage a Major Obstacle

Reports suggest Manchester United would only consider signing Rúben Neves in a “last-resort scenario.” The Al Hilal midfielder has been internally listed as one of several midfield options for January, but he is far from a priority target.

United have maintained routine contact with Neves’ representatives and are fully aware of his contractual situation in Saudi Arabia. His agent, Jorge Mendes, has already rejected a contract extension offer from Al Hilal, with Neves’ current deal set to expire in June 2026.

Al Hilal signed Neves from Wolves for £47 million in the summer of 2023. However, their asking price has dropped to around £18 million for January, potentially even lower. Despite this, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insists that Manchester United have not opened formal talks with either Al Hilal or the player.

Romano clarified that United’s discussions with Mendes are standard industry practice and involve multiple players, including PSG winger Bradley Barcola. “There are no negotiations, no offers, and no concrete talks at this stage,” Romano stated.

From a footballing perspective, Neves brings vast Premier League experience, having played 219 league matches for Wolves over six seasons. Financially, however, the deal is complicated. Neves currently earns over £400,000 per week in Saudi Arabia. While he is willing to take a pay cut, he reportedly wants around £200,000 per week—far above United’s proposed £150,000 ceiling.

Age is another factor. Neves turns 29 in March, and there are internal concerns over whether he can immediately make an impact after two seasons outside Europe’s top leagues. Spurs, Newcastle, West Ham (managed by his former Wolves coach Nuno Espírito Santo), along with clubs from Italy, Spain, Germany, and Portugal, are all monitoring his situation.

Manchester United’s preferred scenario would be signing Neves on a free transfer next summer. That plan would likely coincide with a midfield overhaul, potentially seeing the departures of Casemiro, academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, and Amorim’s trusted midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

According to Fotomac, Galatasaray are exploring a loan deal for Ugarte with a €25 million buy option—far below the €60 million United paid for him. Lyon and Napoli are also considering similar loan-to-buy structures.

Only if United successfully offload key midfielders and Neves accepts a free transfer on reduced wages would the club seriously consider the move—making him a contingency rather than a cornerstone signing.