Man City transfer news: Ruben Neves is also a target for Man Utd
Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will battle for Wolves playmaker Neves
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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published