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Man Utd could sign Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves this summer for “cheaper” than the reported £100m asking price, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
It is believed that Neves has been a long-term target for the Red Devils after the Portuguese midfielder helped Wolves consolidate themselves in the Premier League after being promoted in 2018.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted Man Utd to buy a new midfielder last summer but they decided against it after bringing in Raphael Varane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
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And there have been reports that Man Utd will test Wolves’ resolve over Neves this summer but their manager Bruno Lage has claimed the Portugal international is worth £100m.
Speaking last month, Lage said: “I don’t know if it’s Man United or other teams, what I know is we have a special player here with us.
“What he is doing this season is very good. I think also the way we play, he can show a better Ruben, and also the way he plays puts our team on a different level.
“When you have that player, the best thing to do is improve his salary and years of contract.
“But who knows, when you have a top player like him in that specific position, that can defend and attack, and is a top professional and a great man, the big teams are there with £100m to buy these kinds of players.”
However, former Leeds and Blackburn goalkeeper Robinson reckons “a deal could be done for cheaper” with Man Utd having other “issues” that need sorting ahead of a new midfielder.
Robinson told Football Insider: “There is other issues they need to sort. They should not be paying £100million for Neves. There is other positions and players they need to prioritise for me.
“When you look at the £100million paid for [Jack] Grealish and compare him to Neves, I don’t think Neves is in that £100million bracket.
“I think Bruno Lage is trying to scare Manchester United. He clearly doesn’t want to lose Neves. He knows how important he is.
“I think a realistic price would be a lot less than that. If Man United really want him I think a deal could be done for cheaper.”