BREAKING:Al Hilal agree fee with Wolves for Ruben Neves

Ruben Neves is poised to join the growing list of high-profile European players making a move to the Saudi Pro League, as Al Hilal has reached an agreement for the midfielder’s transfer.

The rapid rise of Saudi Arabian club football is remarkable, considering that it was not previously on the radar for most football fans.

The interest in the league gained significant momentum with Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in the region, capturing attention worldwide. Subsequently, the signing of the reigning Ballon d’Or recipient, Karim Benzema, added to the league’s allure.

This surge in interest coincided with the Public Investment Fund’s acquisition of the four largest clubs in the Saudi Pro League, signaling their intent to invest in marquee players.

The Saudi Pro League has transformed into a busy destination during transfer windows, with big-name signings becoming increasingly common.

This indicates the league’s determination to attract and spend money on renowned football talents.

It is reported that Lionel Messi declined an opportunity to move to the Saudi Pro League, ultimately choosing Major League Soccer (MLS) instead.

As a result, the focus has shifted to targeting Neymar as a potential signing. Luka Modric is another prominent player who recently rejected a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Thus far, the league has primarily pursued players who can be acquired without a transfer fee.

However, there seems to be a change in strategy as Al Hilal, according to The Athletic, has reportedly agreed to pay £47 million for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ standout Ruben Neves. The Portuguese midfielder has previously been linked with clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, and Barcelona, but now appears to be on his way to Saudi Arabia.

These developments reflect the growing ambition of Saudi Arabian clubs in attracting top-tier talent, including players with substantial market value.

The pursuit of Neves indicates a shift towards more significant transfer fees, signaling a potential change in the league’s approach to player recruitment.

Indeed, Ruben Neves’ potential move to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League may come as a surprise, considering the stature of some of the other players who have already made the switch or are linked with the league.

At 26 years old, Neves is entering the prime years of his career, and it would be expected that he could continue playing in a league and for a team of higher standing than Al Hilal for several more years.

The reported agreement of terms between Neves and Al Hilal would mark the end of his six-year spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, a journey that began when the club was in the Championship.

The potential sale of the midfielder could potentially result in backlash from Wolves’ fans, especially considering their chant dedicated to Neves, which debuted just over a year ago.

The fans vowed to “riot” if Neves was ever sold, although rival fans have criticized the chant as one of the “worst songs of the season.”

The potential departure of Neves would undoubtedly generate strong reactions from the Wolverhampton faithful.