Saudi Arabia has bagged another big name in 26-year-old midfielder Ruben Neves, who has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for a major contract.
Neves has a year left on his contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers but made it clear that he wanted to move on from the club. He expected the move to happen last summer but it fell through. This summer, his agent, Jorge Mendes, tried negotiating with Barcelona but the Catalan club’s manager Xavi Hernandez kicked against the move.
That left the midfielder with a mega-money option from Al-Hilal, who is set to pay £47 million to Premier League side Wolves to buy out the rest of Neves’ contract.
This is a big jump from his initial sentiments of wanting to remain in Europe in order to participate in the UEFA Champions League, which he shared with British broadcasters Sky Sports towards the end of the 2022/23 season. “Let’s see what’s going to happen. I always say the same thing, I truly love to be here. But I never hide that I want to play Champions League football,” he said.
“In football, you need to go for your main goals and that will be a massive decision for me and my family.”
Neves will now travel to Saudi Arabia to finalise the deal and be one of the mega signings that the Saudi Pro League will welcome in under a year.
Sources claim that Neves’ transfer from Wolves is a way to help offset the financial burden from last season. After spending some time at the bottom of the table, Julen Lopetegui was appointed and the club spent £75 million to get him the players he used to ensure their continuity in the Premier League. Neves going for £47 million helps them save wages and make enough for the coming season.
It is also understood that Al-Hilal are the only one who have approached Wolves for Neves, which has led them to accept the offer because of their dire financial straits. It is a move that the player had to take because the club of his dreams, Barcelona, did not want him and there was no way he could have remained at Wolves due to their finances.
It is expected, however, that he makes a return to Europe in the next few years as he is still in the prime of his career.
Al Hilal are also looking to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea as the Blues, one of the clubs linked to the Saudi PIF, are prepared to offload the Senegal international. The former Napoli man is set to fetch around £25 million for Chelsea after one season of disappointment.
