Ruben Neves will fly to Saudi Arabia in the next few days to finalise his £47 million transfer to Al Hilal, after Julen Lopetegui gave the transfer his full backing.
The Portuguese maestro is leaving Molineux to embark on a new adventure.
But it is not the adventure most were anticipating.
Neves had been expected to join Barcelona, who have long shown interest in him.
But they were ultimately unable to present an acceptable offer to Wolves.
Neves has apparently been offered ten times the wage he is currently on at Wolves by Al Hilal.
And it looks as though this could now be finalised this week
Ruben Neves transfer to Al Hilal expected to complete soon
According to John Percy of The Telegraph, Neves is now expected to fly to Saudi in the next few days.
The publication also has word on Julen Lopetegui’s feeling about the deal.
Apparently, the Spaniard gave the proposed £47 million transfer his full backing. He’s said to have ‘fully sanctioned’ the move, knowing it’s money that could really help Wolves’ financial predicament.
It is stated that ‘the deal is regarded as a significant coup for the club amid their concerns over Financial Fair Play’.
Lopetegui had publicly voiced his concerns about FFP just before the season ended, and his future was briefly up in the air as a result.
But earlier this week it was claimed that Lopetegui was going to stay, which was then confirmed by sporting director Matt Hobbs.
Ruben Neves to Al Hilal feels so wrong, but it’s undoubtedly a good deal for Wolves
Wolves are set to bank just under £50 million for a player that only has one year left on his contract.
So if this does go through as expected, then it’s great business by the club.
Wolves need to make player sales this summer in order to balance the books, and they’ll be off to a great start with this.
But many Wolves fans will have mixed feelings about this.
Neves is a Champions League-quality player. And it’s a competition he had been vocal about playing in again.
It just doesn’t feel right that’s going to play in Saudi Arabia at the age of 26.
But then, perhaps the money is simply too good to turn down and maybe he has plans to return to Europe after a couple of seasons.
But it’s a risk. Who knows what being away from the highest level will mean for him later down the line.