Many Wolves fans took it very hard when Ruben Neves left the club in 2023.
Ruben Neves had been at the club for six years, after signing from FC Porto while the club was still in the Championship.
He was an instant hit, and help Wolves to gain promotion to the Premier League, showing his quality in pretty much every game he played.
He would continue to shine in the Premier League, impressing alongside Joao Moutinho. He helped the club finished seventh twice, and reach a Europa League quarter-final and a FA Cup semi-final.
Neves left the club to join Al-Hilal in 2023, a move that no one really saw coming.
Neves was criticised by Ally McCoist and others for his Saudi move, but some did defend him, saying the player was doing right by his family.
Earlier this week, there was a surprising claim about Neves, which was that Porto are eyeing a move for him this summer.
This is despite the fact he’ll have one more year on his contract at Al-Hilal this summer.
The claim has got some Wolves fans talking about a hypothetical return to Molineux.
Wolves fans divided over hypothetical Ruben Neves return
It was made clear in the report about Neves that it would be a very complicated process for Porto to sign him for free this summer.
He would need to terminate his contract at the Saudi club, but there was no word on whether that is a possibility.
But the claims haven’t stopped Wolves fans online from talking, and it’s been very interesting to read some people’s takes.
While there’s been no suggestion Wolves could be in the frame to re-sign Neves, some have been talking about a hypothetical return to Molineux.
A few have suggested there isn’t really a great need, but many more are all for it.
@C8JP8S said: “All day every day!
@Mossy55018 added: “Gomes Andre and neves…. Come on… That would be incredible. We need someone with his passing range. Some one said they will go and fetch him. I will go and get a van for all his gear and pay for flights for his Mrs and the kids!!!!”
@harrisonwwfc insisted: “I’ll walk to Saudi from wolves, and give him a piggyback all the way home.”
@SheenyChris said: “100%. Imagine him holding and Andre and Gomez closing down in opposition half’s. Mint.”
Neves is open to Wolves return one day
Earlier this season, Neves came to watch Wolves at Molineux against Southampton.
That weekend, Neves left the door open for a return to Wolves one day, saying: ” don’t like to speak about that because life changes a lot. Of course, this is a special home for me and a special home for my family, so Wolves will always be in our minds and there will always be a chance.
“But I don’t want to create expectations to anyone, because we know how football is, we don’t know what will even happen tomorrow. But for sure, it’s an open door for me. I believe that if I can choose, Wolves will always be one of the options, for sure – but I don’t know what can happen.”
Clearly, there is a real appetite to have Neves back at Wolves this summer. Even despite midfield being a really strong aspect of the team right now.
But Neves’ comments earlier this season implied that any return wouldn’t come until later in his career.
That said, things can quickly change in football. So amid the claims about Porto, perhaps an approach from Wolves cannot be completely ruled out.