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Wolverhampton Wanderers have been the masters of the transfer market in recent years, which has helped them maintain their status as a Premier League club.

From signing prospects with plenty of potential to acquiring value-for-money players, every strategy has been optimised to the max.

However, it’s not just the buying of players that’s been a success, as the Molineux side also been able to sell their talents for large fees, notably Matheus Nunes and Diogo Jota.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a former player who Wolves truly hit the jackpot on back in 2017.

What Wolves paid for Ruben Neves

In the summer of 2017, Wolves signed highly-rated Ruben Neves from FC Porto, reuniting with Nuno Espírito Santo.

The Portuguese prospect had already cemented himself as one of the best upcoming talents in Europe, having already owned the status of the youngest player to captain a side in the Champions League.

Although the fee paid for the midfielder wasn’t confirmed, it is reported to have been around £15m, making him one of the most expensive Championship transfers of all time.

During his first campaign, Neves’ quality and influence on the team were immense over his 42 matches, scoring six goals and helping Wolves win the title, ultimately seeing them return to the Premier League – the division they play in to this day.

The fee that Wolves sold Neves for

Throughout his time in the Premier League, the former Wolves number eight developed into an elite midfielder, playing 177 times in the competition and scoring 21 goals.

The 27-year-old even played a vital role in Wolves’ 2019/20 Europa League run, starting nine times and picking up two goal contributions as they made it to the quarter-finals.

Around this point, Neves’ value had skyrocketed, as according to Transfermarkt, he was estimated to be worth £43m, which is more than Matheus Cunha’s value today, for example, £36m.

Nonetheless, in the summer, Wolves parted ways with the Portugal international, as the departing hero was one of the many players to join the Saudi Pro League, becoming an Al Hilal asset in a deal worth £47m.

As you can see, this makes Neves the second most expensive sale from the club of all time, ranking just below Nunes and higher than Jota.

Selling the “superb” ace, as dubbed by journalist Nathan Judah, for such a high fee means that the club profited heavily, even selling the midfielder for 200% more than what they bought him for six years prior.

Not only did this enable Wolves to invest in the squad, but it meant that they could almost entirely fund their move for Cunha with the Neves sale, which has proven to be a masterstroke.

The Brazilian has been absolutely unbelievable in the Premier League this season, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists, and without him in the side, it’s almost guaranteed that Gary O’Neil’s side would be much worse off.

Today, Neves is currently enjoying his time in Saudi Arabia, helping his side to the league title with ten assists in 26 starts, but it’s clear that Wolves – and Nuno – absolutely struck gold by beating the competition to his signature back in 2017.

Wolves may have made a bigger mistake than Vitinha by selling Neto upgrade

Wolves may have endured a mistake by selling a current sensation for peanuts back in 2019…

By
Ross Kilvington

Apr 18, 2024

The batting line-ups of both teams have been inconsistent, but Pakistan’s better bowling attack gives them the edge

Madhusudhan Ramakrishnan22-Mar-2011Despite there being few doubts about Pakistan qualifying for the knockout stages, their top position in the group stages has come as a bit of a surprise. Their performances over the years have always been characterised by sheer unpredictability, which makes them a formidable opponent on any given day. As per their seeding, Pakistan were expected to finish behind Australia and Sri Lanka, and beat New Zealand. But what happened was quite the opposite. They pulled off stunning wins over Sri Lanka and Australia, ending the latter’s 34-match unbeaten streak in World Cups. However, they lost heavily against New Zealand after an inept batting and bowling performance. West Indies, who were expected to face stern tests against Bangladesh and the other two lower-ranked teams, comfortably triumphed in the three matches. They bowled Bangladesh out for just 58 in Mirpur and went on to ensure their qualification for the next round. What has been less inspiring is their performance against the top teams. While they were not expected to topple India, England or South Africa, they have had their chances in all three teams and failed to grab them.Pakistan better against top teams
West Indies have been more ruthless than Pakistan in the matches against the lower-ranked teams. They beat Netherlands by 215 runs and thrashed Bangladesh in Mirpur by nine wickets. Pakistan, on the other hand, comfortably got past Zimbabwe and Kenya, but fell for 184 against Canada before eventually defending the score with some disciplined bowling. In matches played against lower-ranked teams, West Indies have the better average and run-rate difference. The story is very different against the top teams. West Indies have a poorer bowling average and economy rate than Pakistan. West Indies, who have chased and lost on two out of three occasions against top teams, might prefer to bat first and post a big score against Pakistan, who floundered in a big chase against New Zealand. In 1996, fourth-placed West Indies faced top-ranked South Africa in the quarter-finals and pulled off an incredible win defending 264, which was set up by a stunning century by Brian Lara. One of their batsmen will have to stand up and deliver a similar emphatic performance for them to upstage Pakistan.

Batting woes for both teams
Pakistan and West Indies have finished top and bottom of their respective groups, but the batting performances of both teams have been inconsistent. In the match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s batting came good and enabled them to post an excellent score of 277 which they defended successfully. Against Australia, Pakistan’s brittle batting was nearly exposed while chasing a modest 176. New Zealand, however, thoroughly exploited the weaknesses in Pakistan’s top order, by reducing them to 23 for 4 in pursuit of 303, from which Pakistan never recovered. Pakistan’s top order has been unconvincing except for Asad Shafiq, who top-scored against Zimbabwe and Australia. Their middle order has been doing much better, but is likely to be severely tested if faced with a competitive target and quality bowling attack.West Indies’ problems have been quite the opposite. Strong starts in almost every game have been frittered away and incredible middle order collapses have meant that they have finished well short. After the early loss of Chris Gayle against South Africa, they recovered and looked set to reach a score of 280 before a flurry of wickets in the end kept them down to just 222. Gayle provided an explosive start against England but again the middle order failed to capitalise. In their final group game against India, West Indies lost their last eight wickets for just 34 runs and lost by 80 runs after being in a comfortable position in their chase of 269.

Powerplay performances reflect batting worries
The consistent batting performance of the top order of West Indies is clearly reflected in the stats in the mandatory and bowling Powerplays. Their batting average and run rate are much higher than Pakistan’s in the same phase of the innings. However, Pakistan have been the more incisive and economical bowling team in the first ten overs. The powerful lower-middle order of Pakistan has scored at a run rate close of 9.81 in the batting Powerplay. In the same period, though, West Indies have been unable to create an impact as a result of major middle-order collapses.

The batting for both teams has been a let down in the tournament so far. Not surprisingly, Devon Smith is the only batsman from both teams to figure in the top 20 run-getters in the tournament so far. Kieron Pollard and Gayle have been good on occasions, but will need to step up if West Indies are to challenge the top teams in the knockout games. Not a single Pakistan batsman figures among the top 20 run-getters with Umar Akmal coming in much later on the list with 211 runs.Pakistan the better balanced bowling side
Shahid Afridi, the most successful bowler in the World Cup with 17 wickets, could be a huge threat to West Indies, given that they haven’t been comfortable against spin. Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq found form against Australia, and the right blend of pace and spin gives Pakistan a bowling edge over most teams. Pakistan’s pace bowlers have been more impressive against right-handers, though, and the presence of a number of left-hand batsmen in the top order of West Indies could be a test for Pakistan’s bowlers.The West Indies pace attack has been quite a revelation all through, with Kemar Roach and Andre Russell being the pick of the bowlers. Ravi Rampaul also impressed with a five-wicket haul against India, and could get another game despite the return of Roach. Devendra Bishoo has been quite economical in the two games he has played, while Sulieman Benn did well in Mirpur against Bangladesh. Like Pakistan’s attack, West Indies’ bowlers have also relished bowling to right-handers.

Even record in recent times
In recent head-to-head clashes in global tournaments, the teams have been evenly matched. Pakistan won by five wickets in their most recent meeting in the Champions Trophy while West Indies won comfortably in their last World Cup meeting in the opening game of the 2007 World Cup. West Indies have an 8-3 record in global tournaments against Pakistan. Since 1999 though, both teams have won two games each when they have met in the World Cup and Champions Trophy. Overall, in matches played since 2000, Pakistan enjoy a much better record.Mirpur, the venue for the match, has generally been a good batting wicket, but stats here are distorted because of the two batting failures by Bangladesh, when they were bowled out for 58 and 78 against West Indies and South Africa respectively. In recent games teams chasing have done much better in Mirpur, but in a crucial knockout game batting first might be the better option.

Also reiterates why he may miss the entirety of the New Zealand tour

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Feb-2021Shakib Al Hasan has said that the Bangladesh team has the ability to bounce from adversity, after their first series whitewash at home in nine years. The home side lost the Dhaka Test by 17 runs against West Indies, after already losing the game in Chattogram by three wickets.It led to stinging criticism led by BCB president Nazmul Hassan who didn’t mince his words in a press conference shortly after the Dhaka defeat.Related

• Russell Domingo: 'Bangladesh need players who are hungry for Tests, can guts it out for five days'

• Kraigg Brathwaite toasts 'amazing achievement' by West Indies: 'The future is bright'

• At no point did I think we would lose the game – Mominul

• BCB chief slams Mominul, Domingo

• Bangladesh fall 17 short as West Indies seal 2-0 win

Shakib, who missed part of the first Test and the entirety of the second Test due to a thigh injury, said that Bangladesh has come out of similarly difficult situations in the past.”It is definitely a difficult time for us, but we have had such times before,” Shakib said at a private event in Dhaka on Monday. “We have worked together in the past to get out of such situations, and I believe we can do it again. I believe we have the ability. We have got out of such situations before. A couple of good results will change the scenario. We wouldn’t be talking about anything if we had scored the 17 runs yesterday.”Nobody wants to lose in any sport. We didn’t think it would turn out like this. We beat their full-strength side in the previous tour. Everything was okay till the fourth day of the first Test. Our bad phase started from the fifth day.”Shakib said that like all team managements, the Bangladesh one also takes winning decisions but it sometimes doesn’t work out. “There’s no right or wrong decision in cricket. Every decision is taking by players, captain and the team management thinking of a win,” he said. “If we would’ve won, you wouldn’t have asked these questions, but you have a job to ask questions even then. I think everyone has a responsibility,” he said.Shakib also explained why he needed the break for the tour of New Zealand, which he said was partly due to his injury and partly because his wife is giving birth to their third child.”It will take me six to eight weeks to recover from the injury, which means there’s a good chance that I will miss the New Zealand tour. If it takes me six weeks, I might make it to the T20I series, but there’s a personal reason for asking for the leave.”We are going to have our third child, which is exciting for both of us,” he said. “I must be next to my wife. More importantly, the Covid-19 situation in the US is pretty bad. Only the husband is allowed in the hospital, so I must be with her.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken it upon himself in a bid to land a top Manchester United target by holding face-to-face talks.

Ratcliffe making his mark at Man Utd

The new co-owner has already made an impact with the Red Devils, bringing in Omar Berrada as CEO from Manchester City and announcing plans for a new ‘Wembley of the North’ to replace Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, director of football John Murtough is stepping down, with Ratcliffe and INEOS targeting Jason Wilcox from Southampton and Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United. Ashworth has been a big target for Ratcliffe, who said back in February that the 53-year-old is “interested” in a move to Manchester.

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Apr 10, 2024

"I think Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world, I've no doubt. He's a very capable person. He's interested in the Manchester United job because it's probably the biggest sporting director job in the world just now, with the biggest challenge.

"We've obviously had words with Newcastle. They would clearly be disappointed to lose Dan. Newcastle have been very, very successful, they've done really well since the new ownership, they play some good football and it's transformed the club. I understand why they would be disappointed to lose Dan."

Ratcliffe then called the situation with Ashworth placed on gardening leave by Newcastle “completely stupid”.

"It's a bit silly, personally. I won't get dragged into that. What I do think is completely absurd is suggesting a man who is really good at his job sits in his garden for one-and-a-half years. That's completely stupid."

Even though Ratcliffe previously stated he wouldn’t get ‘dragged’ into the situation, it appears as if he has got personally involved.

New Dan Ashworth to Man Utd update

The Times have now shared a new development in regards to Man Utd’s bid to bring in Ashworth, revealing that Ratcliffe has held face-to-face talks with Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley, looking to reach an agreement.

Ashworth is currently on gardening leave for 18 months unless United pay a compensation package worth £15m, but it looks as if Ratcliffe is looking to lower that figure by taking it upon himself to speak with Staveley.

Reports have previously claimed that Ashworth is already pushing moves to sign Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes and Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, so he seemingly has his heart set on a move to Manchester despite not officially being appointed.

It appears that we haven’t heard the last of this situation, and hopefully, United can get their man ahead of the summer, which would allow Ashworth to make his mark in the transfer window.

The transfer would be one of the biggest surprises in MLS, as Aaronson was a finalist for Eredivisie young player of the year last season

• Rapids in advanced talks to potentially land Aaronson
• Forward scored in the German Cup last weekend
• Aaronson originally started career in MLS

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Colorado Rapids lost a star No. 10 who is in the U.S. men's national team pool in Djordje Mihailovic, who moved to Toronto FC. They might be getting an even bigger name to join as a replacement. 

  Chris Armas' side is reportedly in advanced talks with rising young American Paxten Aaronson, who currently plays in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt. Paxten Aaronson – brother of Leeds United midfielder Brenden –  was one of the finalists for the Eredivisie's Young Player of the Year award after recording an eight-goal, four-assist season while on loan with Utretch.

  The 21-year-old is fresh off scoring a goal on the weekend in the German Cup, in an 11-minute cameo in Frankfurt's 5-0 win over lower league side FV Engers

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  Aaronson is among the best young players in the USMNT pool, which would make this signing a coup for the Rapids if they are able to pull it off. Colorado aren't traditionally known as one of MLS's big spenders, but journalist Tom Bogert reports the team would be breaking a club record if they complete the signing. 

  The Rapids are boosted by the fact that they received a club record fee for Mihailovic, getting $8 million, plus $1 million in potential add-ons from Toronto in a cash-for-player trade. Both Aaronson brothers got their start in MLS, coming up the ranks with the Philadelphia Union prior to going to Europe. 

  For Aaronson, the move could signal a chance to get consistent minutes in a World Cup year. Since joining Frankfurt in 2023, he's only played 14 league games for the German club before being sent on loan to both Vitesse and Utrecht. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Rapids are currently in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference, sitting seventh. They are five points out of fourth place – the last first round home playoff seed – at 36. 

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• WHAT NEXT FOR THE RAPIDS?

  Colorado travel to Carson, California to take on struggling defending champions LA Galaxy Saturday.

The WACA pitch has felt like another planet for most of the batsmen on show in this game, but this stretch of soil is Michael Hussey’s home

Peter English at the WACA18-Dec-2010Michael Hussey’s pulling power has dragged Australia to the verge of a series-levelling win and reacquainted him with the mountainous numbers he achieved in his Test youth. Without Hussey’s 116, his fourth Ashes hundred, Australia would have faced a couple of days of nerves, but the hosts need only five more wickets to head to Boxing Day on level terms.The WACA pitch has felt like another planet for most of the batsmen on show in this game, but this stretch of soil is Hussey’s home. He is safe here. Those running into him have been the ones in discomfort, feeling the cracks and slaps of his driving and cross-bat shots. Hooks and pulls often disappear from view in tense times due to the extreme risk of dismissal.Playing like this in Perth creates more physical danger because of the speed and bounce of the wicket. Hussey doesn’t care.He is among the most calculated batsmen in the game so it would seem a contradiction that he relies so heavily on a method with such little room for error. Except it’s not a risk for him, because he’s been hooking and pulling in Western Australia for three decades. He calls the shots instinctive, but they are ingrained, like chewing nails during tense chases, or roaring when an edge flies behind.Hussey couldn’t stop if he spent weeks in hypnosis. Should an opening batsman who has waited a decade for a debut hook when his only Test earning is a single? Should he let his mind convince him to pull when he’s meant to saving the second Ashes Test on an unpredictable Adelaide wicket? To most batsmen the answers are no.Hussey said yes to those times and thousands more because he knows the shot will pay off more often that it sends him bust. It has boosted his account considerably in this series, which started with him playing for his place. Since then he has hooked and pulled his way to heights not reached since the opening three years of his career, when his numbers were as close to Bradman as any mortal can reach.The cross-bat smacks have been pivotal and productive, creating doubts for the bowlers over their length, and showing he will not be a target for overs of short balls. Seven of his 13 boundaries and plenty of singles and twos came from the shots in a masterful home-ground display. In the middle session England tried an at-the-body approach through Chris Tremlett but quickly gave up.”Mike Hussey is probably not a player you want to bowl too short to,” Peter Siddle said. “He showed that again today, same as he did in Brisbane when they attacked him with it.”Hussey is a traditional player and spent most of the first hour of the day adjusting to the conditions. Once he had, not even a long disruption for a jammed sightscreen could distract him. He also wasn’t put off by three men in the deep at times, an attempted pull that caused an under-edge and a bruised hip, or the frightening short-ball treatment directed at his team-mates.His first punched pull came off Tremlett when he moved to 40, the opening blast of a string of aggressive swipes. The most precise cross-bat effort came when he split fine leg and deep backward square with another cracking strike off Tremlett that landed him on 96. It was appropriate that a pull brought up his hundred, from only 136 balls, and as he ran to the stumps at the bowler’s end he leaped and punched the air.A similar celebration occurred four years ago when his 103 on a sweaty day also put his side in sight of a hugely satisfying victory. Back then he was near his peak; this display provided him with more statistical stardom. He is the leading run-scorer in this series with 517 at 103.40, and he has increased his Ashes record to six consecutive innings of scores of 50 or more. A man who spluttered for much of the past two years has achieved unrivalled consistency again.Equally importantly, his innings built on Mitchell Johnson’s day-two demolition and ensured Australia set England a now unreachable target of 391. Hussey was last out and his innings finished with a pull to Graeme Swann at deep forward square leg, but that didn’t worry him. He knows the risks, and the rewards.

Mario Balotelli, a free agent, has spoken out about his immediate future in football and the sentimental promise he made to his brother, Enock.

• Balotelli is actively searching for a new club
• He jokingly expressed a "dream" of playing for Real Madrid 
• He aims to retire alongside his brother

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Balotelli has jokingly expressed his 'dream' of playing for Real Madrid while he searches for a new club. In an interview with Gazeta Express, the veteran striker, who turns 35 on August 12, revealed he is "looking for a club that will trust me" for the next "two or three years" before fulfilling a promise to retire alongside his brother, Enock. Balotelli has been without a club since his contract with Genoa expired in June 2025 after a brief spell where he made just six appearances.

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  Balotelli's nomadic career has seen him play for 12 different clubs across Italy, England, France, Switzerland and Turkey. He has often been a controversial figure, but has also demonstrated moments of brilliant form. After a career with a number of high-profile clubs, including Inter Milan, Manchester City, and Liverpool, the Italian is now seeking a final challenge. His desire to play alongside his brother Enock Barwuah, who currently plays for Vado in Italy's amateur divisions, adds a personal and sentimental element to his search for a new team.

• WHAT MARIO BALOTELLI SAID

  Speaking on his dream Balotelli hilariously said, "Playing for Real Madrid…"

  Talking about his professional career, he added, "I'm looking for a club that will trust me. I want to play for another two or three years. Then I'll go to my brother Enock.

  "He's now playing for Vado among the amateurs. We'll see. Anyway, I promised him I'll end my career playing alongside him."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BALOTELLI?

  Balotelli is actively training and claims to feel "ready" for a new challenge. His future is currently uncertain, with no concrete offers publicly confirmed. He has been linked with a move to Spanish third-tier side Real Murcia. His focus remains on finding a club for the immediate future, with the long-term plan of retiring alongside his brother in the lower leagues of Italian football.

Offspinner hurt his left shoulder while putting in a dive off his own bowling

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2020R Ashwin’s fitness was put in doubt after he left the field with a left-shoulder issue, after diving to try and stop a Glenn Maxwell punch down the ground during the Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2020 season opener against the Kings XI Punjab in Dubai on Sunday. The Capitals’ captain Shreyas Iyer, speaking after the game, indicated the injury was not as serious as it first appeared, but the team was still waiting on the physio’s word.The incident occurred on the last ball of the sixth over of the Kings XI innings, Ashwin’s first over of the game, in which he had already sent back Karun Nair and Nicholas Pooran to give the Capitals a distinct edge. Maxwell, the new man in at the fall of Pooran’s wicket, drove the ball, Ashwin dived, and looked in pain straightaway after landing awkwardly. Patrick Farhart, the team physio, reached Ashwin on cue, and the bowler went off with his left arm in a makeshift sling, fashioned from his team jersey.Iyer later sounded a positive note when speaking to the official broadcaster, after his team secured the game in the Super Over, saying, “I briefly spoke to Ashwin, and Ashwin said he’ll be ready for the next game, but at the end of the day it’s the physio’s decision. He [Ashwin] is a strong-minded guy, and hopefully he’ll be available.”The Capitals’ next game is against Chennai Super Kings on September 25.

It's been a rough couple of years for Chelsea Football Club, a couple of years that have seen them stuck in midtable mediocrity despite spending absurd amounts of money on promising young players.

That said, Todd Boehly and Co have also recouped a reasonably sizeable sum of money through player sales in that time, although one Frank Lampard signing has yet to be sold.

The star's value has plunged in recent years and is now worth even less than Trevoh Chalobah.

Hakim Ziyech's time at Chelsea

Yes, the flop in question is Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech, who agreed to join Lampard's Blues in a £33m deal in February 2020 before moving to the club a few months later.

There was a lot of excitement around the deal, as the Dronten-born ace had been scintillating for Ajax in the years prior. For example, in the 2019/20 campaign, he scored nine goals and provided 20 assists in 35 appearances.

However, his brilliant form didn't carry over to England, and in his first season in Blue, he returned just six goals and four assists in 39 appearances and missed 14 games through injury.

While his second season at Stamford Bridge was not bad, it was just as underwhelming as his first. In 44 games, the 5 foot 11 wideman scored eight goals and provided six assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 3.1 games.

Unfortunately for all involved, it wasn't third time lucky, as the 2022/23 campaign saw the left-footed ace lose his place in the first team and return his worst haul yet: just three assists in 24 appearances.

At this point, it was crystal clear that the former Ajax star had no future with the Pensioners.

After a permanent move away from the team failed to materialise in the summer, he was sent to Galatasaray on loan, where it would be fair to say things have gone from bad to worse.

Hakim Ziyech's valuation this season

It really has been a disaster of a season for the 31-year-old this year.

A succession of injuries has seen him miss a whopping 26 games for club and country, and when he has played, he has once again been underwhelming.

The tricky winger has made 17 appearances for the Turkish giants so far, in which he has scored four goals and provided three assists, a return that has done little for his valuation.

In fact, the player who once cost the Blues £33m is now valued at just €9.5m by Transfermarkt, which converts to around £8m, or a £25m loss.

The 60-capped international is now worth even less than the injury-prone Chalobah, who has made just eight first-team appearances under Pochettino this season. Transfermarkt values the defender at €13m, which is around £11m, or £3m more than the once dynamic winger.

Ultimately, with just a year left on Ziyech's Chelsea contract at the end of this season, the club simply must sell him this summer and get what they can for a player who has been a flop in west London.

Chelsea could sign the ideal Sterling upgrade in "incredible" £43m talent

The exceptional attacker has just lifted silverware and has been described as being “on another level.”

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 9, 2024

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a shock move for Sporting CP's powerhouse captain Morten Hjulmand after their pursuit of Brighton's Carlos Baleba hit a wall, with the Seagulls demanding a jaw-dropping £120 million for their Cameroonian star. United boss Ruben Amorim is desperate to bring Baleba to Old Trafford, but Brighton's sky-high asking price left Old Trafford chiefs wincing.

• Man Utd eye Sporting skipper Hjulmand
• Baleba chase halted by £120m demand
• Arsenal-loving Dane could join Red Devils

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Baleba was a revelation last season, ranking among the Premier League’s best for tackles, interceptions, blocks and recoveries. Brighton aren't budging, seeing him as a pivotal piece for the campaign ahead after starting 31 of 38 league games last term.

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  According to Brighton's firm stance has forced United to shift their focus to Hjulmand. United are preparing a £50m bid, with Sporting likely to consider an offer about £10m shy of his £68m release clause if performance add-ons are met. The Dane is no stranger to Amorim’s high-intensity, structured style, having played 65 matches under him at Sporting. Together, they lifted two Primeira Liga titles and a Taca de Portugal, with Hjulmand wearing the captain’s armband.

• TELL ME MORE

  If United pull the trigger on Hjulmand, the savings could fuel another high-profile raid – this time for Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, as they seek a new long-term goalkeeper. However, they must act quickly, as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are also lurking, with the Spaniard also eyeing Baleba as a potential long-term heir to Rodri.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  Hjulmand is a lifelong Arsenal supporter, and he’s literally got the ink to prove it, with a Gunners-inspired tattoo on his body. That’s unlikely to sit well with sections of the United faithful, but Amorim believes his ex-captain’s mentality could win over even the most sceptical fans.