Transfer Centre

Manchester City to rival Arsenal for Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 17 November 2023

Man City to rival Arsenal for Ruben Neves?

Manchester City reportedly join Arsenal in the race to sign Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves as they search for replacements for Kalvin Phillips.

Manchester City are reportedly ready to go head-to-head with Arsenal for the signature of Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves.

The Portugal international was linked with a plethora of elite European clubs during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, having played a fundamental role in their rise from a Championship team to a top-half Premier League club.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal were all believed to have been in for Neves, but the midfielder was instead seduced by the riches of the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Hilal for €55m (£48.1m).

Neves has unsurprisingly cemented a regular starting role for the Middle Eastern giants this season, scoring two goals and setting up one more in 17 matches alongside fellow summer signings Neymar, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

The Portuguese's contract with Jorge Jesus's team runs until the summer of 2026, but rumours of a possible Premier League return are beginning to swirl, and it has been claimed that Arsenal could reignite their interest.

Ruben Neves in action for Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 1, 2022 © Reuters

Newcastle United are also said to have considered a January loan move following Sandro Tonali's 10-month suspension, although the Magpies could be blocked from doing a deal as the Premier League votes on whether to ban teams loaning players to clubs under the same ownership.

With Newcastle potentially out of the running, Football Insider claims that Manchester City have thrown their hat into the ring as Pep Guardiola searches for a successor to wantaway Kalvin Phillips.

The former Leeds United man's switch to the Etihad has not worked out as intended for either party, having only started two Premier League matches for the champions since his arrival last summer.

With Euro 2024 on the horizon, both Phillips and Man City are now expected to engineer the midfielder's exit in the January transfer window, which could open the door for Neves to return to the Premier League.

Guardiola is said to be a huge admirer of the former Wolves midfielder, who in turn is alleged to be open to departing Al-Hilal as early as January or in the upcoming summer transfer window.

England's Kalvin Phillips celebrates after the match on October 13, 2023 © Reuters

Neves apparently joined the Saudi Pro League giants on the basis that he would quickly return to top-level European competition, although Al-Hilal are not in any position to let him go on the cheap given his contract situation.

Should the Portugal international complete a switch to the Etihad, though, he would reunite with ex-Wolves teammate Matheus Nunes, who was a €62m (£54.2m) arrival from Molineux this summer.

Guardiola also welcomed Mateo Kovacic to the club from Chelsea as they began life without Barcelona-bound Ilkay Gundogan, as well as tying Bernardo Silva down to a new contract until 2026.

However, the Citizens have been handed a scare with Rodri, who missed Spain's 3-1 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Cyprus on Thursday due to discomfort, and it is unclear whether he will be fit to face Georgia on Sunday.

Additionally, Erling Haaland suffered a blow to the ankle during Norway's win over the Faroe Islands this week, an untimely double concern for Guardiola ahead of next weekend's top-of-the-table showdown with Liverpool.