Manchester United will need to pay in excess of £50m in order to sign Wolves' Ruben Neves as Barcelona pull out of the running, according to reports.
The Reds are set for a busy summer with the impending arrival of their next manager as they look to bolster the squad and improve on the shortcomings of this campaign. United have already identified their midfield as a department that needs additions with the likes of Declan Rice and Amadou Haidara eyed ahead of a proposed move.
A player who has been frequently linked is Wolves' Neves. The 25-year-old has been a key cog in the middle of the pitch for Bruno Lage's side as well as the Molineux predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo.
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Spanish outlet Sport via Sport Witness has reported that the La Liga side were looking to acquire Neves with current stalwart Sergio Busquets heading towards the end of his time at the club. The 33-year-old has a year remaining on his deal in the Nou Camp and Barcelona had identified the Portuguese midfielder as the perfect replacement.
However, Wolves value the midfielder at €50m (£42.2m), something which Xavi's side are 'not willing' to pay. The report continues to say that the five-time Champions League winners have pulled out of the race to sign Neves.
Meanwhile, United have reportedly been dealt a boost in their efforts to sign a defender. Antonio Rudiger, who is set to become a free agent in the summer, has been fiercely linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks.
With the recent sanctions on Chelsea, it has meant that they are unable to sell or buy players as part of the Government restrictions on former owner Roman Abramovich. As a result, this means the impending out-of-contract players will be forced to leave the club.
However, German outlet BILD via the Express are reporting that prior to the piercing sanctions on the Londoners, they had already struck a deal with representatives of the central defender keeping him at the club beyond 2022.
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It is unclear what it means for his future. But it has been said that Rudiger agreed on personal terms after the two parties were locked in negotiations and unable to reach an agreement and with the recent news surrounding Stamford Bridge, those efforts look to be in vain meaning he is set to leave on a Bosman in the summer.
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