When Ruben Neves left Wolves, there was a feeling it would be to a top European club, as that was the level he was capable of playing at, but instead he made the move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.
Neves has been plying his trade in the Middle East since 2023, and the midfielder is a fan favourite around Molineux.
His time of scoring ridiculously good goals from range for the Old Gold is sorely missed, and with Wolves struggling to create, having a player capable of creating something from nothing would be a welcome addition.
However, if Neves were to return to the Premier League, it seems Manchester would be his likely destination.
Recent reports suggested Neves could make a move to Manchester United, and that a deal was ‘on’ as the Red Devils look to strengthen their midfield.
Ruben Amorim also holds an interest in Joao Gomes, but Rob Edwards has been promised the star midfielder will stay in January.
Now, the latest update on Ruben Neves has emerged, and there has been a twist in the tale.
Ruben Neves is now likely to stay in Saudi Arabia
Despite reports emerging that Ruben Neves could be on his way back to England, it appears that the move has switched in the opposite direction.
The midfielder is currently contracted until the end of the season, but it looks as though he may now be extending his time in Saudi Arabia.
Journalist Ben Jacobs delivered the update via The United Stand, saying, “Ruben Neves, I think, is harder now because it looks like the direction of travel is about extending his time in Saudi Arabia, and there are a lot of sources that feel that he’ll follow the path of Milinkovic-Savic and commit his future.
“Whether or not that means that he stays for the duration of any extension remains to be seen. But the point of Ruben Neves when we spoke about it last was more kind of towards the end of the summer when the player was debating whether he wanted to go into this season still in Saudi Arabia in a World Cup year or whether he was prepared to leave.”
Jacobs also said that talks about Neves leaving Al Hilal were centred around if the club wanted to bring in a fresh name in his position, opening the door to a mid-season loan, but that no longer looks to be the case.
That will be music to Wolves fans’ ears, as it seems the prospect of seeing Neves lining up in another Premier League side’s kit has passed, at least for the upcoming window.
But with the quality the midfielder has, there is no doubt rumours and reports about clubs being interested in him will keep coming out.
Ruben Neves should sign for a top European club
Wolves fans know better than almost anyone how good Ruben Neves is.
The midfielder was one of their best players over his six-year stint at the Old Gold. Jose Mourinho believed Neves’ style of play was rare and praised his fellow Portuguese national while he was at Wolves.
At just 28 years old, there is still plenty left in the tank for the former Wanderer, and Wolves fans would love to see him back at the highest level.
However, they would prefer if that was at a non-Premier League side.
It seems that Ruben Neves is happy with his football in Saudi Arabia, and if he is enjoying playing over there, then you cannot knock him for wanting to stay.