Manchester United have not been able to keep up with their local rivals Manchester City this season and Jose Mourinho is now convinced that his side need some quality additions before the start of the next season, to compete for some silverware in England and in Europe.
The Red Devils are linked with a number of exciting stars for a move his summer but one name now doing the rounds is Wolves star, Ruben Neves.
According to reports from Spain, Mourinho is ready to let Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera quit the club this summer and wants the Portuguese youngster as a replacement in the midfield. Wolves are stable financially and will want Neves to stay with the club in their quest in the top flight next season. But it will not be easy to fend off interests from clubs like Manchester United so what should the Champions club’s play be in this situation?
Having moved to England from Porto for a Championship record fee of £15m just last summer, the 20-year old, who was a part of the UEFA European U17 Championship team of the Tournament in 2014, has been one of the most important players for the Wolves, in their pursuit of promotion this season.
Neves has 32 Championship appearances this season, where he has managed to establish himself in the first team alongside Romain Saiss. He has four goals in the league and has been a genuine match-winner in his time at Molineux Stadium this season.
This is his best return as a professional footballer and he has shown that he can compete against the best in the country, at the highest level. He will lift the league title and will be high on confidence and is a player who will be crucial for the club’s chances in the top flight next season.
Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to be in charge of the club next season as well and he will need a few more additions to his squad to survive the competition in the Premier League. He has used Saiss and Neves as his first choice midfield partnership with Alfred N’Diaye the only real backup to the senior side.
They will actually have to add to their midfield options and losing Neves cannot be a good thing for the Wolves. He may fetch more than what they paid for him just months ago but with no real pressure to sell, along with the lure of regular playing time, the Championship leaders should do all they can to keep the youngster at the club beyond the summer.
