Stalled negotiations threaten Neves' future with the leader
Private sources have revealed that the future of Portuguese star Ruben Neves, the Al-Hilal midfielder, is shrouded in uncertainty after negotiations between him and the club's management reached a dead end. According to these sources, talks held in recent hours regarding the player's future with the Saudi league champions have made no progress, leaving all possibilities open during the summer transfer window.
Sources indicated that Neves might prefer to embark on a new experience and leave the club at the end of the current season, even though his contract extends until the summer of 2026. This setback in negotiations represents a surprising development, especially considering the pivotal role the Portuguese star played in Al-Hilal's exceptional season.
Background of the deal and its impact on the Saudi League
Ruben Neves' transfer to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 from English club Wolverhampton Wanderers for a record fee of approximately €55 million was one of the most sensational deals that highlighted the immense purchasing power of the Saudi Professional League. This move came at the height of the league's attraction of international stars, with Neves, who had been linked to major European clubs such as Barcelona and Newcastle United, being the first star at the peak of his career to choose to move to the Kingdom, marking a turning point in the world's perception of the Saudi sports project.
Neves quickly proved his quality as a world-class player, forming a strong duo in Al-Hilal’s midfield with his Serbian teammate Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and directly contributing to the team’s dominance of local championships and its historic winning streak, most notably winning the Saudi Roshan League title without any defeat.
The strategic importance and potential effects of his departure
Neves' potential departure represents a significant blow to Al Hilal's future plans. Domestically, the team will lose one of its key midfielders, forcing the management to search for a replacement of similar technical ability and international experience to maintain the team's dominance. Continentally, the absence of a player of Neves' caliber could impact the club's ambitions to reclaim the AFC Champions League title.
Internationally, Neves' early departure, should it occur, could be seen as an indication of the challenges the Saudi league faces in retaining world-class players in the long term. However, his decision remains personal and may be driven by a desire to return to competing in Europe's top leagues before it's too late, especially given his continued importance to the Portuguese national team. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be crucial in determining the future of one of the Saudi league's most prominent stars.
