Premier League club agree to sell £47m Man United transfer target to Newcastle United owners

Ruben Neves is closing in on a move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal after his proposed move to Barcelona stalled.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder was expected to join the La Liga giants this summer after revealing his ambition to play Champions League football.

“Let’s see what’s going to happen. I always say the same thing, I truly love to be here. But I never hide that I want to play Champions League football,” said Neves in May.

“In football you need to go for your main goals and that will be a massive decision for me and my family.”

Although the 26-year-old is leaving Molineux, he won’t fulfill those hopes of playing in Europe with a £47million move to Al Hilal on the verge of being completed.

Neves, who has one year left on his contract, had been considered by Newcastle United and Manchester United in recent transfer windows. Moving to the Middle East at the peak of his career comes as a surprise, despite the huge salary on offer.

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, who own 80 per cent of Newcastle, recently claimed a 75 per cent stake in Al Hilal and three other Saudi Pro League clubs - Al Ahil, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr.

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The Portuguese international is set to become the latest high-profile player to move to one of those PIF-owned clubs - following in the footsteps of his international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema recently joined Al Ittihad and is close to being joined by fellow countryman N’Golo Kante.

Neves joined Wolves from Porto in 2017 and in his first season helped the club to promotion from the Championship. In total, the midfielder has made 253 appearances and scored 30 goals.