Ruben Neves has told close friends he would 'love' to return to Wolverhampton Wanderers one day. The midfielder's affection for the club is clear, but a major financial hurdle stands in the way of any potential reunion.

Alan Nixon reported that Neves has privately shared his wish to come back to the Black Country outfit. However, the journalist also noted that the player's "extortionate wages, which Nixon reports to be in excess of £400k per week, create an obvious barrier." Neves signed a new contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in February, tying him to the club until the summer of 2029.

A lasting connection

The 29-year-old remains a beloved figure at Molineux after making 253 appearances for the club between 2017 and 2023. He was instrumental in the Championship title win under Nuno Espírito Santo in 2018 and his £47m departure to Al-Hilal in 2023 marked the end of an era. Neves was back at Molineux last weekend, receiving a rapturous reception from supporters during the 1-0 derby win over West Bromwich Albion, a match decided by a Fer López goal in the 67th minute.

His current situation in Saudi Arabia is successful, with 29 goals and five trophies from 148 appearances for Al-Hilal. While there was once an expectation he would return to a Champions League club in Europe by 2026, his recent contract extension has altered that timeline. A move back to Wolves now seems more plausible for the 2027-28 or 2028-29 seasons, potentially if the club has regained its Premier League status by then.

Current context at Molineux

Head coach Cesar Peixoto is now focusing his team's preparations on their next fixture, a trip to face Middlesbrough on October 10th. The team's form has been mixed, with the recent derby victory followed by a 1-0 loss at Everton, leaving them with one win, one draw, and three defeats from their last five outings. López, the match-winner against West Brom, is the team's top scorer this season with four goals. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming fixtures as they aim to climb from fourth place in the Championship table. The club's full squad list shows the midfield options currently available to Peixoto as he builds his team without Neves. Any future move for the Portuguese star would be a complex financial operation given his current earnings and the remaining three years on his Al-Hilal deal.

Background and full detail: Sports Mole