There’s a transfer battle brewing in Manchester with both United and City eyeing Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
The 21-year-old Portuguese playmaker has been in sparkling form for the Midlands club and although City boss Pep Guardiola has long been linked with a move for him, the Manchester Evening News (MEN) claims that he “fears” his plans will be “hijacked” by Jose Mourinho.
The beleaguered United boss continues to make plans for the January transfer window even if the smart money says he’ll be sacked by Christmas. But if he’s not, the MEN says he’ll swoop for Neves, who is apparently a long-time fan of both Mourinho and the Red Devils.
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Assessing their options
Goal.com also covers the story and reports that City came close to making a bid for Neves “in the final days of the summer transfer window”. But neither Wolves nor the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, wanted to know, although that situation may change between now and the New Year.
City are “assessing their options” after missing out to Chelsea on Jorginho and Goal.com says that the club’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, met Mendes this month to discuss a possible sale in January.
It will depend ultimately on Wolves but Goal.com says they are “likely to hold out for a deal worth at least £60m”.
Mourinho miffed
But Mourinho has got wind of the talks and he’s not happy with Mendes, who is also his agent. As a result he is determined to use his influence to lure Neves to Old Trafford, assuming he hasn’t been sent on gardening leave by January.
Race for Rabiot
If City do lose out to United in the race for Neves, might they make a play for Adrien Rabiot instead? The Sun claims that the Premier League champions are “considering a move” for the Paris Saint-Germain star, a decade after letting him leave.
The 23-year-old midfielder had a stint in City’s youth teams in 2008 before returning to France, where he’s made quite a name for himself for club and country.
As a result he comes with a £45m price tag and the Sun says that City will face a stiff challenge from Barcelona for his services, if, as expected PSG sell Rabiot in the New Year before he becomes available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
