Manchester United have been handed a potential boost in their chase of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, as the Molineux side have made an approach for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha.
The 26-year-old was thought to be on the radar of Manchester City, but the current Premier League champions have since seemingly switched their gaze to Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, leaving Palhinha in limbo.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the Portuguese international has racked up 27 appearances in the Primera Liga this season, grabbing three goals in the process.
And, in altogether unsurprising news, it is Wolves who once more are sniffing around a talented Portuguese star, having made a habit of recruiting from that pool through superagent Jorge Mendes.
As per the Telegraph, the midlands side have ‘made an approach’ for Palhinha, though no fee has been agreed with the Portuguese giants for their lynchpin as of yet.
#Wolves have made an approach for #SportingCP midfielder João Palhinha, 26, with talks/negotiations over fee for move to the Premier League for the Portugal international
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) May 25, 2022
Manchester United to benefit?
Meanwhile, the move could allow Manchester United to finally lay their hands on Ruben Neves, who has two years left on his Wolves deal and is not expected to extend his time in the midlands.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on August 19, 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Alongside Joao Moutinho, he created a formidable midfield for Wolves, but in what is set to be a period of regeneration for the club following a disappointing end to the season, the sale of Neves could provide some much-needed funds.
Whether or not new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will still have Neves as high on his wishlist as previous transfer policy makers did remains to be seen.
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