Prem star Man Utd and Arsenal are desperate to sign teed up for huge alternative move through loan-to-buy
A Premier League midfielder heavily linked with Manchester United and Arsenal is ready to join Barcelona on loan with an obligation to buy, according to a report.
Both English giants have needed to improve their midfields for some time now. At Manchester United, Fred and Scott McTominay have come in for regular criticism.
The Red Devils moved to solve this issue during the summer transfer window. They spent £70million to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid and brought in Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
Despite these signings, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was hoping to land a third midfielder. Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong was his prime target. Unfortunately for Ten Hag, his fellow Dutchman had no intention of leaving Barca.
This means Man Utd are still likely to be on the lookout for a new midfielder in the 2023 transfer windows.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey as their first-choice midfield pairing. Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga are also in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Lokonga arrived to provide some added energy to the midfield and potentially replace one of Xhaka or Partey. But the former Anderlecht man has struggled in England and Arteta could probably still do with a big name joining the Gunners to take his midfield to the next level.
Man Utd and Arsenal are both in the mix for Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, though he is not the only Prem ace the pair of clubs want to sign.
Spanish giants want proven Prem midfielder
They are also looking to Wolves and their talisman Ruben Neves. His contract runs out at the end of next season.
This puts Wolves in an OK position as they are not at risk of losing him on the cheap in January. However, Neves could signal his intention not to pen a new Wolves deal and force a transfer away from Molineux next summer.
According to reports from September, Arsenal are insisting on signing Neves to bolster their midfield ranks. Man Utd, meanwhile, are huge fans of his.
But it looks like they will both miss out on the Portugal international. As per Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barca want to replace the ageing Sergio Busquets and believe Neves is their man.
Barca chiefs are ‘evaluating’ his situation and drawing up plans to take the 25-year-old to Camp Nou. This transfer could be helped by super agent Jorge Mendes. This is because he represents Neves and also has good relations with those at Barca.
The report states Wolves will accept offers worth €40m (£34.7m) for Neves, which seems like a surprisingly low sum for a player of his ability.
Alternatively, Mendes could engineer a loan switch for his client. This would see him move to Barca initially on loan and with the obligation to buy.
There are other options for Xavi’s side, should Neves opt to extend at Wolves or join a Prem rival, such as Man Utd or Arsenal.
Ruben Neves joined by Leicester man on Barca shortlist
Coincidentally, Tielemans is one of them. His future is even more uncertain than Neves’ as his Leicester deal expires on June 30.
Barca are casting their eye towards Chelsea pair Jorginho and N’Golo Kante as well. There is a pattern developing here, as the Blues midfielders are also out of contract at the end of the season.
Losing either Jorginho or Kante to the Blaugrana would enrage Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly. He has already missed out on transfer targets Raphinha and Jules Kounde to the Spaniards this year.
A move away from Wolves would make sense for Neves. While he has a great relationship with the club, he has the quality to shine at a higher level. A Champions League or Europa League side will surely snap him up in the near future.
It is now up to Man Utd and Arsenal. If they truly want to land Neves, then they need to begin negotiations with the star and Wolves soon. Should they fail to do this, then Barca will emerge into clear frontrunners for his services.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag could continue his Dutch revolution at Man Utd after speaking with an Eredivisie transfer target.
