Ruben Neves, the former Wolves captain, has recently disclosed that he was on the verge of joining Arsenal last summer before ultimately moving to Saudi Arabia in a £47 million deal with Al Hilal. This revelation sheds light on the intense interest shown in Neves by various clubs during his time in England.
Neves, a Portuguese midfielder with 45 caps for his national team, had been linked with moves to top Premier League clubs such as Liverpool and Chelsea. However, it was Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal that displayed the most interest in signing him last summer, although the club eventually invested £105 million in Declan Rice.
In an interview with O Jogo, Neves shared his disappointment at the failed transfers, stating, “I was close to three clubs and it didn’t happen, which saddened me and helped me make the decision to go to Al Hilal.” He went on to reveal that Barcelona was one of the clubs that came close to signing him, along with Arsenal and another club outside of England. The accumulation of events and the golden opportunity presented by Al Hilal led Neves to accept the move without hesitation.
Since joining Al Hilal, Neves has become a key player in the team’s starting lineup. Despite rumors of a winter loan move to Newcastle United, he has remained a mainstay in the Saudi Pro League leaders’ squad. The 26-year-old midfielder has scored five goals in 35 appearances for Al Hilal, contributing to their seven-point lead at the top of the league.
This transfer saga highlights Neves’ desirability as a player and the interest he garnered from top clubs across Europe. While his move to Arsenal didn’t materialize, Neves has found success in Saudi Arabia and continues to impress on the field.
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