Share this @internewscast.com

Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves has admitted he was close to joining Arsenal or Barcelona last summer before his switch to Saudi Arabia.

Neves entered the final year of his contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer and openly confessed his desire to play for a team competing for trophies, sparking interest from some of Europe’s top sides.

It was Al Hilal who ultimately won the race for Neves’ signature, parting with a cool £47m to get a deal done, but the midfielder has now confessed he came close to staying in Europe.

“I was close to three clubs and it ended up not happening, which saddened me and helped me make the decision to go to Al Hilal,” Neves confessed to O Jogo. “I didn’t want to mention names, but Barcelona was one of the hottest and it wasn’t a lie. It was close to happening, just like with Arsenal.

“Then there was another club outside England. These were events that happened and then, with this golden opportunity, I had no doubts about accepting it. I was already hardened by transfers that didn’t happen.”

Ruben Neves

Neves had interest from some top sides / Yasser Bakhsh/GettyImages

Still only 26 years old, Neves insisted he is open to a return to Europe at some point down the line but added he is in no rush to call time on his Middle Eastern exploits.

“Playing in Saudi doesn’t make me feel any different compared to my colleagues in Europe,” he continued. “My physical capacity 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 on returning anytime soon. Taking this path, Saudi could have one of the most important leagues in the world within two years. There is no secret: the quality of the players that arrive is extremely high. If each team bets on eight foreigners of that level, this almost becomes a PlayStation championship, in which we can choose the players at will. I believe I will be here in two years and, who knows, even a little longer.”

Neves has four goals and six assists to his name from 28 appearances for Al Hilal, who sit seven points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Borussia Dortmund ‘Pressured’ to Improve Jobe Bellingham’s Slow Start to Protect £900m Asset

Borussia Dortmund should be feeling the pressure of Jobe Bellingham’s slow start…

Reece Walsh’s Father Speaks Out for the First Time About How the NRL Grand Final Star Overcame the Impact of His Mother’s Drug Addiction

Reece Walsh’s father Rodney has provided an in-depth account of how his…

Rangers Boss Russell Martin Expresses Sadness at the Sight of Kids Mimicking Their Dads by Making Rude Gestures and Using Profanity Towards Him

In the cafes and restaurants scattered around Graz’s charming main square, the…

Inside Chelsea: Why Enzo Maresca is Under Evaluation and Granted the Season

Enzo Maresca is scheduled for an end-of-season evaluation regarding his role as…

Brentford’s Igor Thiago: From Bricklayer to Man United Conqueror, Overcoming Personal Loss, Keith Andrews’ Influence, and Aspiring to be Brazil’s Next No. 9 and Golden Boot Winner

Igor Thiago is currently at the peak of his form. He has…

Sophie Cunningham intensifies criticism of WNBA’s Cathy Engelbert amid ongoing rebellion

Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has taken another savage swipe at Cathy…

Chelsea’s Narrow 1-0 Win Over Benfica: Enzo Maresca’s Bold Decision Fails, Young Star’s Situation Becomes More Puzzling, Analyzed by KIERAN GILL

Chelsea ensured that Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge was a disappointing…

Former NFL Player Mark Sanchez Stabbed in Parking Dispute with Food Delivery Driver

Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was urgently taken to the hospital with…