Manchester United and Newcastle Negotiate Deal For Portugal Star!

Man Utd, Newcastle Set For Battle Over Portugal Star

Premier League clubs Manchester United and Newcastle are set to embark on a bidding war over the services of a wantaway Al-Hilal star, who is refusing to come to terms over a new deal to keep himself in the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Hilal have reportedly struggled to tie the player down to a new contract, and as such are open to selling him back into European football at the expense of his £300,000-per-week contract.

Deep into his sixth season at the club, which many of didn't think we'd see, this is a simple Ruben Neves appreciation post.

In his 237 games in old gold, he's gone from our wonderkid from Porto to our captain and king.

An absolute steal at £18m.

He thinks, therefore he plays. pic.twitter.com/XibB9unx9s

— Robbie Meakin (@robbiexmeakin) January 25, 2023

Neves Set For Premier League Return

Ruben Neves is the man of the hour, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers legend failing to come to terms with Al-Hilal over a new contract that would keep him out in Saudi Arabia.

The 63-times-capped Portugal midfielder spent 5 years in the Premier League with Wolves, wearing the Old Gold 177 times in England's top flight whilst scoring 21 goals as well. He joined the side when they were in the Championship, despite being one of the most highly-regarded prospects in all of European football, and earned Premier League promotion in his maiden campaign with the club at the age of 20.

Now 28, he bade a tearful farewell to the club in the July of 2023 to head to Saudi Arabia for the sum of £47m. He quickly ousted himself as one of the best players in the developing division, and has made 112 appearances for the club in all competitions.

🎩 Ruben Neves got 12 assists in the RSL this season, the most ever for an Al Hilal player 🎯#yallaRSL pic.twitter.com/LSRUfj3q2x

— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) June 11, 2024

Now, though, his chapter out in the sun appears to be closing with Neves unwilling to agree new terms with the club. As such, Al-Hilal will look to sell him this window with his contract expiring at the end of the season, leaving this January as the final chance the club have to secure a fee for his services.

According to TeamTalk, Neves has made it clear that he wishes to return to European football whilst in his prime, and his advisors are already sniffing out offers from around the continent for his services, including two of the Premier League's big-wigs in Newcastle United and Manchester United.

Manchester United are also looking into several other midfield targets at the moment, with Bournemouth's Tyler Adams, Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson and Sunderland prodigy Noah Sadiki all on the list of options being weighed up by the club.

On Newcastle's side, it remains to be seen how strong their level of interest is in Neves as we enter the January transfer window, but it is understood that Neves himself would be keen on a move to Newcastle this winter - especially if they continue to progress in the Champions League.