Ruben Neves set to join Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal

• Wolves midfielder and captain Ruben Neves is set to leave the Premier League club this summer
• The Portugal international is set to join Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal in a permanent move
• Neves joins a list of high-profile players set to play in the Saudi Arabia league next season

Wolverhampton Wanderers captain, Ruben Neves, is on the verge of completing a £47 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal. The 26-year-old midfielder has been widely expected to depart Wolves this summer and is now set to join the growing list of high-profile players making moves to the Middle East.

While Barcelona had previously shown interest in the Portuguese international, they were unable to finalize a deal. Consequently, Wolves are currently engaged in negotiations with Al Hilal for Neves, who had only one year remaining on his contract. The transfer, which would establish a new club record for the highest sale, is likely to be concluded within the week.

Wolves captain and midfielder Ruben Neves is set to depart the Premier League side this summer with a permanent move to Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

READ: Barcelona optimistic of getting Ruben Neves from Wolves

This move follows recent transfers of note to Saudi Arabian clubs, such as Karim Benzema’s free transfer to Al Ittihad and Cristiano Ronaldo’s switch to Al Nassr in December. Furthermore, there have been rumours linking Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante with a potential move to join Benzema. A substantial offer for Neves would provide Wolves with financial relief, given the pressure they face to sell players in order to comply with Premier League spending regulations. The club has already spent £200 million during this transfer window.

Although there were initial doubts about Julen Lopetegui’s future as Wolves’ manager, the former Real Madrid boss has received assurances and will remain at Molineux. However, the team will lose Neves, who has played a pivotal role in their success since joining from Porto in 2017. He played a key part in their Championship victory in the subsequent season and contributed to their consecutive seventh-place finishes in the Premier League. Additionally, the club reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2020 but have since struggled to replicate that level of achievement, finishing 13th last season after being in last place at Christmas.

Throughout his tenure at Wolves, Neves has amassed an impressive record of 253 appearances across all competitions, scoring 30 goals.