Ruben Neves makes MOST SURPRISING €55m transfer of the summer

Robin Bairner

• 19 Jun 2023 06:52 BST
• 3 min read

Wolves captain Ruben Neves has been linked with a string of major clubs in recent months, with everyone from Manchester United to Barcelona linked with the 26-year-old Portugal international player.

According to the BBC, though, Wolves have agreed a €55 million deal with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal to take the midfielder to the Gulf.

Neves’ agent Jorge Mendes has been trying to push the player to various major clubs this summer but has been unable to find a buyer for a player still in the prime of his career.

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Indeed, it was only a matter of weeks ago that Neves was underlining his ambition to play Champions League football next season.

“I want to be here but I never hide that I want to play Champions League football. It's a hard decision. Me and my family love it here, but in football you have to go for your main goals,” he claimed after playing what appears to be his final game for Wolves in a 1-1 draw against Everton.

Neves, though, will not even be playing in the AFC Champions League next term if he completes a move to Al-Hilal, who had previously tried to sign Lionel Messi and appear to be closing in on a move for Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly. The side finished third in the Saudi Pro League and therefore miss out.

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Neves to Al-Hilal signals balance of power shift

Should Neves complete his move to Al-Hilal, it will arguably be the Saudi Pro League’s biggest success yet.

Although it has signed Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr and Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad – both Ballon d’Or winners – capturing a player who had been closely linked to major clubs still in the prime of his career will be seen as a major coup.

Neves will, presumably, be on a huge wage at Al-Hilal while Wolves will be delighted to receive €55m for a player with an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €43m.