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Manchester United have four players Wolves could accept in Ruben Neves swap deal
Manchester United are interested in signing Wolves star Ruben Neves.
Man Utd: The first six fixtures of the new Premier League season
Manchester United have reportedly joined the race for Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eyeing the Premier League title next term and plans for his team to play more on the front foot as a result. So with swap deals set to become more commonplace in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, Express Sport will now take a look at four players the Midlands could accept in return for the Portugal international.
Diogo Dalot
At present, Diogo Dalot is being linked with AC Milan and Real Madrid.
He doesn’t appear to be in Solskjaer’s thoughts for the future, having spent last season on loan at the San Siro.
Express Sport understands United remain keen on Kieran Trippier, who they believe can galvanise Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.
And given Wolves’ strong Portuguese connections, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Dalot offered in exchange.
Wolves may see him as an upgrade on Nelson Semedo but, given the player’s interest from elsewhere, could find it difficult to entice him to Molineux.
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Eric Bailly
United have never really seen the best of Eric Bailly at Old Trafford.
He enjoyed a positive first year at the club under Jose Mourinho but, since then, has been regularly plagued by injuries.
United did tie the Ivory Coast international down to a new contract in May, promising him more action as he enters the peak years of his career.
Yet with the club aiming to sign Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, he could be set to spend more time on the bench.
That won’t sit well with the player and, therefore, offering him to Wolves in return for Neves would definitely make sense.
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Dean Henderson
Although Wolves have lost Rui Patricio and replaced him with Jose Sa, Dean Henderson would be an upgrade.
And while United rate the youngster, he’s keen for regular football over the coming campaign as he looks to evolve over his career.
With David De Gea and Tom Heaton also on their books, and the Red Devils needing to keep all three goalkeepers happy, letting Henderson go in return for Neves would be a necessary sacrifice.
They could insist on a buyback clause to ensure they maintain control over the England international’s future.
But with both Henderson and Neves valued in the region of £50million, it’s an arrangement that would suit both parties.
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Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard is another who, like Henderson and Bailly, wants to play more.
Solskjaer recently talked up the England international after a 2-1 win against Derby, insisting he was still in his plans for the upcoming campaign.
Yet it’s hard to see how he’ll get the action he craves when he’s got Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek both ahead of him in the pecking order.
Therefore, a swap deal that would see Neves move to Old Trafford would potentially suit both parties.
How the 28-year-old would feel about that, however, remains to be seen.
Manchester United: The first five fixtures of the 2021/2022 campaign
August 14 - Leeds United - Old Trafford
August 22 - Southampton - St Mary’s Stadium
August 29 - Wolves - Molineux
September 11 - Newcastle United - Old Trafford
September 18 - West Ham United - London Stadium.