Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is actively pushing for the club to enter the competition with Newcastle United to pursue Ruben Neves from Al-Hilal during the January transfer window.
According to SPORT, Arteta has expressed a strong interest in securing the services of Neves and has urged the Arsenal board to make a concerted effort to acquire the player.
Arteta’s motivation behind the move stems from the anticipated departure of midfielder Thomas Partey, making Neves an appealing choice as a potential replacement. The Portuguese player, currently with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, is seen by Arteta as an ideal fit for the Gunners.
However, Arsenal may encounter competition from Newcastle United, who also have their sights set on Neves. Newcastle views the Portuguese midfielder as a viable replacement for Sandro Tonali, who is serving a 10-month ban due to a breach of betting rules. The race to secure Neves’s signature will intensify as both clubs aim to bolster their midfield options in the upcoming transfer window.
In the summer transfer window, notable European clubs such as Barcelona and Arsenal expressed interest in securing the services of the Portuguese international. However, it was Al-Hilal who emerged victorious in the bidding war, getting the deal by offering a substantial sum of €55 million. This amount raised eyebrows among other competing clubs, as the player was entering the final year of his contract with Wolves.
Despite the skepticism from rival teams, Ruben Neves ultimately chose to commit his future to the Saudi Arabian club. He solidified this commitment by signing a three-year contract with Al-Hilal, thereby forgoing the opportunities presented by European giants in favor of the Saudi Pro League.
