According to reports, Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves wants to leave Saudi Arabia and has interest from three Premier League clubs, including Manchester United.<\/p>\n
Neves joined Al Hilal from Wolves in a club-record sale worth around \u00a347million in June 2023.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old was linked with a host of European clubs, including Man United<\/strong><\/a> and Barcelona, before landing in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n As is the case with most players his age, it never felt like Neves\u2019 long-term future was in the Middle East and, two-and-a-half years later, he is reportedly keen to return to Europe.<\/p>\n Neves\u2019 contract expires at the end of the season and a renewal looks unlikely.<\/p>\n MORE ON MAN UTD ON F365 Man Utd, Spurs, Newcastle \u2018preparing offers\u2019 for Portugal star<\/p>\n Man United have been linked with the Portugal international again<\/strong><\/a>, with Real Madrid also mentioned, but Galatasaray, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have now been added to the mix.<\/p>\n According to Sabah in Turkey (via Sport Witness)<\/a>, Al Hilal do not want to lose Neves on a free and the three Premier League clubs are on red alert.<\/p>\n The report says United, Spurs and Newcastle<\/strong><\/a> are all providing \u2018significant and strong competition\u2019 and are \u2018preparing offers\u2019 expected to be submitted during the January transfer window.<\/p>\n With Neves\u2019 contract set to expire in June, he is not expected to cost more than \u00a322m, though a fee as low as \u00a315m is not ruled out.<\/p>\n Why Ruben Neves must return to the Prem<\/p>\n Neves would be a brilliant signing for Ruben Amorim\u2019s 3-4-2-1 system.<\/p>\n There may be concerns about whether Neves has the legs to cover ground relentlessly for United, but his technical quality is not up for debate.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udde3 JUST IN \u2013 Fabrizio Romano:<\/p>\n \u201cMan Utd spoke to the agent of Ruben Neves on several opportunities [his players], not only about Ruben Neves.\u201d [@FabrizioRomano<\/a>, YT] pic.twitter.com\/IDa7qXT3M3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 UF (@UtdFaithfuls) December 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n United need a player who can dictate play while also contributing defensively, which is exactly the sort of midfielder required to play alongside Bruno Fernandes.<\/p>\n Neves could elevate Fernandes\u2019 game to another level, which is quite frightening given the captain is already producing in such an inconsistent and underperforming team.<\/p>\n Newcastle, meanwhile, already have Sandro Tonali operating in the No.6 role, but he could potentially move further forward in a tactical switch similar to Declan Rice\u2019s role at Arsenal<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n There might be concerns about a lack of goals from a midfield trio of Neves, Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, but it would still be a very strong unit.<\/p>\n If Tonali can become what Rice has been for Arsenal as a No.8, Newcastle\u2019s season could turn positive after a miserable first half of 2025\/26.<\/p>\n Joelinton appears to be on the decline and a natural replacement for him may be more of a priority than a deep-lying playmaker like Neves. That said, if Eddie Howe sees Tonali further up the pitch, signing the Portuguese midfielder could prove a masterstroke.<\/p>\n Spurs<\/strong><\/a> would be silly not to seriously compete for Neves\u2019 signature as well. They desperately need more quality in midfield and their No.6 options are limited offensively.<\/p>\n Joao Palhinha is a brilliant player, but he is not someone capable of unlocking defences or dictating the tempo of a match. Neves can do both.<\/p>\n In truth, Spurs need anyone capable of improving their starting XI. They are currently 14th in the Premier League<\/strong><\/a> and Thomas Frank is under serious pressure<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n What does look certain is that Neves will leave Al Hilal in January, and most Premier League clubs should be paying attention.<\/p>\n READ NEXT:\u00a0Big Christmas Weekend: Chelsea v Aston Villa, Man City, Mason Mount, Thomas Frank<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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