Red Devils Rejoice: Manchester United Emerges as Favorite to Sign Key Target in 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 high chance of signing Portuguese international midfielder Ruben Neves from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal during the winter transfer window this January.
Manchester United has been persistently linked with Ruben Neves to strengthen their midfield. As Neves' contract with Al Hilal expires in June, his transfer fee is estimated at around £17-20 million, which is affordable compared to the budget the Red Devils can allocate in this transfer period.
However, Manchester United faces strong competition from Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid, who have also shown interest in Ruben Neves. But Cadena SER recently reported that Florentino Pérez, president of the "Los Blancos," has no plans to sign new players this January.
Meanwhile, Portuguese leading outlet Record also reported similarly, stating that Florentino Pérez is hesitant to spend millions to acquire Ruben Neves this month, despite the former Wolverhampton player’s contract with Al Hilal nearing its end.
This situation increases Manchester United's chances of signing Ruben Neves, with reports indicating that contact has already been made. If an official offer is submitted to Al Hilal, the deal is expected to be closed without much difficulty.
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