Erik ten Hag will urge Man Utd to sign Premier League midfielder if he takes charge

Erik ten Hag will prioritise the signing of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves in the summer if he becomes Manchester United’s new manager.

Currently at Ajax, Ten Hag has been widely touted to takeover the top job at Old Trafford at the end of the season and is said to have already held talks about the position with the club’s board.

According to The Sun, if Ten Hag is appointed United boss his first target will be Neves from Wolves who he believes can sort out the pitfalls in the Red Devils’ midfield.

The report goes on to say that Ten Hag has watched Neves since the Portuguese star was playing for FC Porto in his teens and has admired the 25-year-old for a long time.

Neves has become a star in the Premier League ever since being promoted from the Championship with Wolves back in 2018.

It was reported that United tried to sign the midfielder in January but were unwilling to meet the £40million asking price as talks broke down over a deal.

Speaking last week, Wolves manager Bruno Lage explained why top clubs are trying to sign Neves and admitted it will be hard to stop them taking his compatriot.

‘What is important to say is that it’s very hard to find a player like him,’ said Lage. ‘We used to call it a defensive midfielder but it’s now a central midfielder, a guy who can defend and can attack. He (Neves) can do both things.

‘He can score goals and do assists. It’s very hard to find. From my side, he knows my opinion – I want the best for his career. If he prefers to remain with us, for sure we will be happy and stronger. But this is football and you never know.’

Neves currently has two years remaining on his current contract and, in the past, has spoken of his desire to play Champions League football.

In 28 Premier League