FC Barcelona Target Set To Join Al-Hilal In Shock $60 Million Move

An FC Barcelona target in the Premier League is heading to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia for a €55 million ($60 million) fee according to Relevo.

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves is one of super agent Jorge Mendes’ top clients.

With the Portuguese representative a friend of Barca president Joan Laporta, Neves has been linked with the Blaugrana in the past.

In May, it was reported by ESPN that Laporta was “making progress” on a move for Neves despite not having the approval of first team coach Xavi Hernandez.

Xavi has been open about the need to sign new midfielders, and especially one that is capable of playing the pivot position soon to be left vacant when captain Sergio Busquets departs on June 30.

The former number ‘6’ would reportedly prefer Joshua Kimmich or Martin Zubimendi, but the club could be priced out of either operation while both men are unwilling to leave their current clubs.

Last week, Kimmich indicated that he will see out the remaining two years of his Bayern Munich contract while Zubimendi said: “It motivates me more to inherit the ‘4’ of Asier Illarramendi than the ‘5’ of Sergio Busquets” to El Diario Vasco.

These developments could have pushed Xavi back to having to pursue Neves against his will amid SPORT previously reporting that Wolves had offered €30 million ($33 million) plus the player for La Masia graduate Ansu Fati.

According to Relevo, however, the manager probably won’t need to encounter any awkward situations because Wolves and Saudi giants Al-Hilal are in “well advanced” talks regarding a transfer for around €55 million ($60 million) that would send Neves to the Middle East.

The Spanish outlet explains how the two parties are “discussing the last details” of the deal with the player “already convinced ” to switch allegiances.

Neve’s move could be sealed after he returns from international duty with Portugal, and landing a top European player during the peak of his career at a relatively young age is a huge coup for Al-Hilal and the Saudi Pro League.

Neves’ transfer would come after Al-Hilal failed to deliver Lionel Messi despite offering him €500 million ($548 million) a season according to multiple sources such as transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano.