Former Wolves captain Ruben Neves admits he nearly joined Premier League giants Arsenal before his £47 million move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal during the summer of 2023.
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s best efforts – 22 goals in 20 league games for the evergreen 39-year-old – Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Renan Lodi, Aleksandr Mitrovic and Ruben Neves should have some silverware to show for their time in Saudi Arabia.
Neves’ Al Hilal side are seven points clear of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. What’s more, with 19 wins and two draws from 21 matches, Al Hilal are threatening to do what Arsenal did back in 2004 and go the entire league season unbeaten.
Arsenal wanted Ruben Neves before Wolves exit
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners side might not be about to follow in Arsene Wenger’s footsteps with an ‘Invincible’ campaign but – 20 years on from the club’s last Premier League title – the division’s most in-form side are certainly right in the midst of this three-horse race.
Neves, however, does not sound like a man rueing that aborted switch to the Emirates Stadium – or Barcelona for that matter – as he closes in on a place in Saudi Arabian football folklore.
“I was close to (signing for) three clubs,” Neves tells Sport, explaining how his near-£50 million departure from Wolverhampton Wanderers came about.
“It didn’t happen, which saddened me and helped me make the decision to go to Al Hilal. I didn’t want to name names, but Barcelona was one of the hottest. It almost happened, as happened with Arsenal. Then, there was another club outside of England.
“These were events that accumulated and then, with this golden opportunity, I had no doubts about accepting it. (My desire to go to Saudi Arabia) was already hardened by transfers that did not happen.”
Still only 26, there was a great deal of surprise when Neves opted to head to a league often viewed as something of a ‘retirement home’ for ageing footballers in search of one last payday. The Portugal playmaker insists that he is in no rush to return to Europe, however, parroting compatriot Ronaldo as he talks up the quality of football in the Middle East.
‘It almost happened’
“Playing in Saudi Arabia doesn’t make me feel any different compared to my colleagues in Europe,” he adds. “My physical ability is great. I’m on track to one day be able to return to Europe and play at the highest level. But, to be honest, I don’t plan to return soon.
“Following this path, Saudi Arabia could have one of the most important leagues in the world within two years.”
It feels unlikely that Arsenal will renew theri interest in Neves, despite the desire for new midfielders. HITC Football understands that Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and Real Sociedad’s ‘world class’ Spain international Ruben Zubimendi are top targets head of the summer.
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