Deals for both players are complicated, but Amorim says it’s “possible” United can make January signings
Manchester United are tracking Al-Hilal captain Ruben Neves and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher as possible additions in central midfield in the winter transfer window.
Both players have Premier League experience, which is a transfer strategy United adopted this year and intend to maintain heading into next summer.
The 28-year-old Neves is entering the final months of his contract in Saudi Arabia and could be available for around £20m. The former Wolves midfielder spent five seasons in England before leaving in 2023 and has 63 caps for Portugal.
But his wages, understood to be in the region of £350,000 a week, are a possible obstacle, and Al-Hilal are also understood to be keen on tying him down to a new deal.
Gallagher joined Atletico Madrid from Chelsea on a five-year contract last summer and value him at between €40m and €50m. United approached Atletico for a loan in the summer, but the response was that the Spanish club would only consider a sale. That stance is not understood to have changed.
One other target for United is Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams, but the player sustained an injury in their game against United and could be out for up to three months, effectively ruling out any move in January.
Alongside their midfield search, United have also been extensively linked to Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo. It is not clear whether they are contemplating the move.
Ruben Amorim said the club would not sign a player simply to plug the gap opened up by Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo’s departures for the Africa Cup of Nations.
“It’s not going to be to save something in this moment, to cope with the losses of three players for Afcon,” said Amorim about United’s potential January activity. “It’s not going to be like that. I don’t know what is going to happen, but it’s possible that we can do something.”
