Red Devils Rejoice: Manchester United Emerges as Favorite to Sign 'Main Target Player' This January After Favorable Factor Arises
On 22 January 2026, Spanish media outlet Cadena SER reported that Manchester United, currently fifth in the English Premier League, has a strong chance to sign Portuguese international midfielder Ruben Neves from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal during the January winter transfer window.
Manchester United has been persistently linked with Ruben Neves to strengthen their midfield. Since Neves's contract with Al Hilal expires in June, his transfer fee is estimated at around £17-20 million, which is relatively affordable compared to the budget the Red Devils can allocate this window.
However, Manchester United's main competitor is Spanish La Liga giant Real Madrid, who have also shown interest in Neves. Yet, Cadena SER recently reported that Florentino Pérez, president of the 'Los Blancos,' has no plans to sign new players this January.
Meanwhile, Record, a leading Portuguese outlet, also reported similarly, stating that Florentino Pérez is hesitant to spend millions on Ruben Neves this month, despite the former Wolverhampton player’s contract with Al Hilal nearing expiration.
This increases Manchester United’s chances of securing Ruben Neves, with reports indicating that contact has already been made. If an official offer is submitted to Al Hilal, it is expected the deal will be concluded without difficulty.