Man City have serious interest in ex-Premier League midfielder

Premier League clubs will be eagerly anticipating the January transfer window, which is now just six weeks away from opening. 

The mid-season window provides clubs with the opportunity to bolster their squads, and it appears that current Premier League leaders Manchester City are already plotting a potential move.

According to Football Insider, the Citizens boast ‘concrete interest’ in Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves ahead of the January window.

The Portuguese departed Wolves over the summer to join the Saudi Arabian side, but he has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League in recent weeks, with Newcastle United also credited with showing an interest.

During his time in England, Neves scored 30 goals and provided 13 assists in 253 appearances across all competitions.

Neves could make a shock return to the Premier League just six months after leaving Wolves

Having became the youngest captain in Champions League history at former club Porto, Neves also went on to don the armband for Wolves for a significant period.

His move to the Pro League over the summer came as a shock to many as the 26-year-old’s age means that he is widely regarded as being in his prime years.

Since moving to the Middle East, Neves has scored twice and provided one assist in 17 appearances across all competitions.

City lost midfielder Ilkay Gundogan over the summer, but did also sign both Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.

Despite that, the report claims that the Premier League champions are considering a move for Neves in January as they search for potential replacements for Kalvin Philllips.

The England international joined City from boyhood club Leeds United last year but has struggled since moving to Manchester, and is expected to depart The Etihad when the transfer window reopens.