Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves is one of two midfielders who Manchester United see as a backup option to Frenkie de Jong, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Neves expected to leave Wolves

The Portugal international has been a fantastic servant for the Old Gold, spending five years at the club and maturing into one of the first names on the team sheet.

Neves' time at Wolves appears to have reached its natural conclusion, though, with the 25-year-old visibly waving goodbye to supporters at Molineux at the end of last season.

United have been seen as a potential option for the midfielder in recent months, although they view Barcelona star De Jong as their primary transfer target.

The Latest: Man United move could happen

According to The Express, however, the Dutchman looks increasingly unlikely to join United this summer, a transfer twist which would force them to look at alternative midfield targets.

Neves is mentioned as one of those, as is Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic; and while Wolves want £100m for the 25-year-old's services, that may change because of their good relationship with his agent Jorge Mendes, who also represents Cristiano Ronaldo.

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The Verdict: Spend the money wisely

There is a predictability about Neves leaving Molineux this summer - if he stays, it will be an enormous bonus - but a move abroad rather than to a fellow Premier League club would be preferable.

The important thing is that, if the midfielder does go for anything close to the aforementioned valuation, Wolves spend the hefty sum of money on a top-class replacement - he has been hailed as 'fantastic' by Jose Sa - with Matheus Nunes continuing to be linked with a summer move to the Black Country.

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It could even be that the money is used across several positions, not only strengthening the midfield but ensuring that Bruno Lage's side are a greater all-round force moving forward.