Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal have submitted an outrageous 55m euro offer for Wolves midfielder and Barcelona transfer target Ruben Neves this summer, with Wolves keen to accept in order to begin transfer business of their own.
The midfielder has long been linked with a move to the Camp Nou, and is widely expected to leave Molineux this summer with one year left to run on his contract in the midlands, and Wolves were thought to be ready to accept a fee of around £40m.
No such offer has come from Barcelona yet, however, with the Blaugrana still struggling to find financial wiggle-room and relying on departures before sanctioning arrivals.
Ruben Neves celebrates scoring his goal during the Premier League match at Brentford Community Stadium, London.
Picture Credit : © Mark Pain / Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
It could mean that they miss out on Neves, amid astonishing reports that Al-Hilal have prepared a ‘huge bid’ to try and sign the 26-year-old this summer, while ‘Wolves prefer to sell immediately’ and Neves himself is in advanced talks over personal terms.
One major drawback in the bid from Saudi Arabia, however, could be the lack of top level European football on offer. Neves spoke about his dream to play Champions League football at the end of last season, and could hold out for a different move to make that happen.
“Nothing has happened yet but it’s a hard decision to make because I love it here, me and family feel at home”, he explained on the final day.
Al-Hilal are also in negotiations with Chelsea over a potential move for Kalidou Koulibaly, but should Neves move to the middle east he would be the first star in their prime to make the switch to the Saudi Pro League.
As it stands, there are also offers on the table for Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sergio Ramos and Edouard Mendy from Saudi Arabia as they look to build on the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and turn the division into one of the best in the world.
