Ruben Neves to join Newcastle on loan immediately after Al-Hilal move? | OneFootball

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves is an official announcement away from completing a surprise move to the Saudi Pro League this summer.

The 26-year-old is on the cusp of finalising a club record £47 million move to Al-Hilal despite years of clamouring for a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Barcelona have been hot on the heels of the Portugal international, but their financial situation rendered them powerless to match Wolves’ valuation.

Other interested clubs, including Manchester United, were also reluctant to fork out the cash to snap up a player with 12 months left on his contract.

But the Saudis were more than happy to further boost their reputation with Neves’ capture.

The Portuguese playmaker had seemingly given up on his long-term dream of playing in the Champions League by agreeing to be the latest high-profile name to move to the Middle East.

However, it would appear his purported move to Saudi Arabia could be nothing but a smoke screen with a more nefarious plan brewing in the shadows.

According to Football Insiders, Newcastle United are planning a mind-boggling move to lure Neves back to the Premier League on loan immediately after he finalises his move to Al-Hilal.

If the report is to be believed, the loan deal could run for two years rather than the normal terms of a single-season contract. But is that possible?

Al Hilal is one of four clubs to have relinquished control to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) amid plans to boost the country’s chances of hosting the 2030 World Cup.

The PIF are also a majority shareholder in Newcastle, having bought an 80% stake in the club when they completed the takeover in October 2021.

So from a business standpoint, Neves’ presumed loan move to the Magpies is feasible.

Neves’ representative Jorge Mendes could be messing around by touting a potential deal, but there is no smoke without fire and this one reek of a conspiracy plot.

Whatever the case may be, Neves’ potential immediate return to the Premier League should not be allowed.

The Saudis are already on a mission to earn a seat amongst the powers that be in world football, and they inch closer to realising their goal with every high-profile European star they poach.

They have made it a habit of handing out enormous contracts to snap up some of the world’s best players. Their current incursion has raised plenty of eyebrows and could have telling effects on European football in the long run.

However, if the PIF successfully use their influence in Newcastle and Al-Hilal to move players between both clubs without being checked, it will have catastrophic effects on football as we know it.