Portuguese midfielder signs with Al Hilal in record-breaking deal

Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves has signed for Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal have secured the 26-year-old Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal valued at £47 million. The agreement, which still has one season remaining, also includes a six-year contract extension, tying him to the club until the end of the period. Neves, the most recent high-profile Saudi Arabian league import from Europe, joins French forward Karim Benzema and midfielder Alvaro Morata, who recently agreed to terms at Al-Ittihad. In January, Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr sparked speculation that several top European players eyeing the Saudi Pro League are now viewing the kingdom as a prime destination. Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is also close to signing for Al-Ahli, while Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is reportedly a target of Al-Hilal. The player emphasized that his ambition to compete in Barcelona's La Liga was thwarted by the Catalan giants, who have not yet initiated any concrete process. Al Hilal's recent payment of a £55 million transfer fee for Diego Costa exceeds the amount previously spent on Diego Joao, reflecting the club's continued financial muscle. Neves joined Porto's Tupi in 2017, signing a contract with Champions League clubs during the transfer window. Over his six-year spell, he helped the team climb from the championship side to the top flight, scoring 30 goals in 253 appearances.