Ruben Neves set to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in €55m deal

Wolves midfielder becomes latest player to agree switch to kingdom

Ruben Neves scored 30 goals in 253 appearances for Wolves. Getty

Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves is close to joining Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in a €55 million move.

The Portuguese had been linked with a switch to Barcelona but the La Liga champions have not been able to get a deal over the line.

Several UK media outlets are reporting that Wolves have agreed a deal with Al Hilal for Neves, who only had a year left on his contract, with a move that will be a club-record sale likely to be completed this week.

Neves had been expected to leave this summer but after the Barca move failed to materialise the 26-year-old now looks set to become the latest high-profile player to join the Pro League.

Karim Benzema completed a free transfer from Real Madrid to Al Ittihad this month and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is linked with joining him. Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United in December.

Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez is another potential target for Saudi Arabian clubs, while former Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has been linked with move to take over the reins at Al Ettifaq.

A huge offer for Wolves would ease the financial pressures the club will be working under in the transfer window this summer.

They have been under pressure to sell to avoid breaching Premier League spending rules after splashing out £200 million this term.

Benzema unveiled at Al Ittihad

Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player in front of thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia. Photo: Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema pses for photos inside the Ittihad dressing room during his unveiling. Photo: Al-Ittihad

Al Ittihad fans pack the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium at Karim Benzema's unveiling. Photo: Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema lifts the Ballon d'Or trophy during his unveiling as an Al-Ittihad player. Photo: Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema speaks to the crowd during his unveiling at King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah. AFP

Karim Benzema greets young Al Ittihad fans during his unveiling at King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah. AFP

Al Ittihad fans display Karim Benzema's Real Madrid shirt during a presentation ceremony at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. AP

Karim Benzema kicks a football into the stands during his presentation at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images

Karim Benzema applauds the fans at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Getty Images

Fans watch fireworks at Al Ittihad's stadium in Jeddah during a ceremony to unveil former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. AFP

A billboard welcomes Karim Benzema ahead of his unveiling as an Al Ittihad player. Photo: Al-Ittihad

Karim Benzema's Al Ittihad jersey is displayed in the club's dressing room. Photo: Al-Ittihad

It led to doubts over Julen Lopetegui's future but the former Real Madrid manager will stay at Molineux having received assurances.

Yet he will lose Neves, who has been central to Wolves' success since joining from Porto in 2017.

He helped them win the Championship a year later and then to two consecutive seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League.

The club also reached the Europa League quarter-finals in 2020 – where they were knocked out by Lopetegui's Sevilla – but have struggled to replicate that success and finished 13th last season having been bottom at Christmas.

Neves, who made 253 appearances for Wolves in all competitions, scoring 30 goals, told Sky Sports towards the end of the season that he wanted to play Champions League football as he addressed uncertainty regarding his future.

“Let's see what's going to happen. I always say the same thing, I truly love to be here. But I never hide that I want to play Champions League football,” he said.

“In football you need to go for your main goals and that will be a massive decision for me and my family.”