Former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves has been placed on the transfer market by Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, setting the stage for a potential Premier League return in the January window.
Price Tag and Contract Situation
According to reports from The Daily Mail, the 28-year-old Portugal international is available for a cut-price fee of £20 million. This comes as Neves approaches the final six months of his contract with Al-Hilal, whom he joined from Wolves in a £47 million deal back in 2023.
The experienced midfielder boasts 177 Premier League appearances from his successful spell at Molineux, where he established himself as a key leader and a fan favourite.
Manchester United and West Ham Show Interest
Manchester United are named as the leading top-flight club considering a move for Neves. The potential departure of players like Casemiro and uncertainty over the futures of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte could create an opening in Erik ten Hag's midfield. A move to Old Trafford would also see Neves reunite with fellow Portuguese coach, Ruben Amorim.
Meanwhile, West Ham United are another club inevitably linked due to manager Nuno Espirito Santo's strong existing relationship with the player. Nuno managed Neves during their successful time together at Wolves.
Although West Ham invested significantly in midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa this past summer, and have seen Freddie Potts flourish, the prospect of adding a player of Neves' proven quality and leadership could be tempting for a side facing a tough battle in the league.
Nuno's Past Praise for a 'Fantastic' Player
Speaking about Neves back in 2021 while at Wolves, Nuno Espirito Santo was full of admiration for his then-captain. "What I see is a player that is very important for us. He is a fantastic player," Nuno said.
He elaborated on Neves' development, stating, "He's been at Wolves for four seasons now... He's become a better player than when he arrived very young. Now he is one of the senior players in the squad who has responsibilities and he is able and capable to do much better."
However, when questioned about the upcoming transfer window ahead of West Ham's match with Aston Villa, the Hammers boss remained coy, refusing to be drawn into speculation and focusing instead on his team's immediate fixtures.
The January transfer window opens on 1st January 2025, and the situation surrounding Ruben Neves is certain to be one of the major storylines to follow as clubs look to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season.
