Transfer Centre

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves 'close to Al-Hilal transfer'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 18 June 2023

Wolves midfielder Neves 'close to Al-Hilal transfer'

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves - a long-term target of Barcelona - is allegedly close to signing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal are reportedly closing in on the surprise signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves.

At the end of the last two seasons, the Portugal international has made no secret of the fact that he wants to play Champions League football.

Although the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the past, a switch to Barcelona has always appeared to be the most likely option.

That was the case until recently, the Catalan giants seemingly ready to accept the opportunity to sign Neves providing that they could generate the required funds or use Ansu Fati in part-exchange.

Neither were ever realistic, though, and it seemed like Wolves would be left frustrated in their efforts to secure a substantial fee for a club legend who has just one year left on his contract.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui on May 6, 2023. © Reuters

A lack of progress with selling Neves would naturally lead to further obstacles with FFP, Wolves known to need to recoup funds this summer in order to meet regulations and provide Julen Lopetegui with the desired funds to improve his squad.

However, in what was an unanticipated move, Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto claims that Neves is ready to move to the Saudi Pro League next week.

Al-Hilal are seemingly prepared to pay as much as €55m (£47m) to win the race for Neves's signature, an offer that Wolves will accept given the circumstances.

Furthermore, the 26-year-old is allegedly ready to accept the lucrative deal put on the table, although that is currently being disputed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Manchester United's Christian Eriksen in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves on May 13, 2023 © Reuters

Having missed out on Lionel Messi to Inter Miami, Al-Hilal are eager to make a high-profile addition, with Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly potentially also in line to join in due course.

Al-Hilal finished in third place in the standings in 2022-23, 13 points adrift of champions Al-Ittihad who have since signed Karim Benzema and are on the brink of finalising a deal for Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.

Nevertheless, there is an argument that the signing of Neves would be one of Saudi Arabian football's most significant yet, with their previous signings involving players in the latter stages of their career or on free transfers.

As it stands, the Saudi Pro League transfer record stands at €18m, the fee that was paid by Al-Hilal to sign Matheus Pereira from West Bromwich Albion in 2021.