£20m midfielder who’s rejecting contract offers would be ‘absolutely perfect’ for Carrick, says former Red | OneFootball

Former Red Paul Parker has urged Manchester United to try and negotiate a deal for Ruben Neves this month.

This comes after the midfielder entered the final five months of his terms with Al-Hilal, with reports suggesting he has rebuffed numerous contract offers amid a growing desire to return to Europe.

Neves joined the Saudi Arabian outfit in June 2023 for a fee of £47 million. Prior to the switch materialising, United had always held long-term interest, but opted against tabling an official bid or rivalling Al-Hilal.

Ruben Neves: The state of play

(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

He has spent the last two-and-a-half years plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League alongside the likes of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Kalidou Koulibaly, yet is now mulling over where his future might lie beyond the league leaders.

*Neves’ record for Al-Hilal in all competitions

Still only 28 years old, the Portuguese ace boasts a plethora of Premier League experience, having accumulated 177 top-flight appearances with Wolverhampton Wanderers, whom he had captained for the final season of his Molineux tenure.

He is also a mainstay for his nation, where he teams up with United skipper Bruno Fernandes for most Portugal matches. Expectedly, Neves will retain his place under Roberto Martinez for this summer’s World Cup, irrespective of which side he’s representing at club level.

What Parker had to say about ‘perfect’ Neves

(Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Following reports that Al-Hilal would accept a cut-price fee of £20m to sell Neves this month and avoid him leaving for free, Parker has suggested it’s a deal United should be all over.

He told the Metro: “That would make a lot of sense, but you’ve got to look at the wages that come with it, because where he’s just coming from (Saudi).

“I have always been a fan of his. He would definitely steady that midfield and would be absolutely perfect in there.

“When you talk about a passing range and someone who’s got everything right; his touch; his discipline, everything that he does is what everyone is looking for in that role he plays.”

Capology estimates that Neves takes home around £330,000 per week, including bonuses.