Dave Edwards: Wolves star Ruben Neves putting family first with mega-money move
Ruben Neves has probably had a few sleepless nights when this move to Al Hilal came around, with so much to consider.
But this goes beyond his footballing dreams when someone puts a contract in front of you like what he is being offered. All of a sudden, you have to look at it and weigh up the pros and cons.
The money he will earn could secure several generations of Ruben’s family. He’s a very clever man, astute, intelligent and a family man – so any decision he makes will not purely be about money, but maybe what the money can do.
He will have thought long and hard about it, but he’s a family man and he’s put his family first on this occasion. I don’t blame him whatsoever, I’d be doing the same.
What will be important during his time in Saudi Arabia, whether that is one year or the full length of his contract, is him staying in the Portugal team.
Ruben will need to stay in and around the team to keep his name out there. The Saudi league has more eyes on it with the players they’re signing, but it will be huge to stay in the Portugal squad as lots of teams will take him when the opportunity arises, and he’ll still be at a good age.
For Saudi, it’s one of their most important signings so far, by taking someone in their prime who was interesting clubs in Europe.
Only time will tell if it’s a false dawn or not. It happened to Oscar when he left Chelsea for China, and he’s still out there now. The Chinese league didn’t take off like they wanted it to, and Saudi is trying to take that further.
For Wolves, it is a terrific deal getting £47million for a player in the last year of his contract. It’s excellent business.
He’s not going to a Premier League rival either, so Wolves will be really happy.
It’s more money than they would have expected, which will ease the Financial Fair Play restraints to some extent, and with Joao Moutinho off the wage bill that is a lot of money freed up.
The fans will be happy with that side of things, but maybe a little bit sad that Ruben isn’t going to a big European club to fulfil his potential and play Champions League football, which is a dream of his.
But for Wolves, to sign Ruben for £15million, get six amazing years out of him and sell him for £47million is superb.
Even if they sold him last summer, about £50million would have been right, but they got an extra year out of him and sold him for a similar figure.
If he wasn’t in the team last season, Wolves could have easily been relegated too. He carried the team at times. It’s a great deal for Wolves.
It’s also been a good week for Wolves with Julen Lopetegui committing his future.
With the Neves deal set to be done, it gives Lopetegui time to build his squad and not drag it out through the summer.
Last year under Bruno Lage there was so much indecision around the club and it hurt them. They’ll be on better foundations now with Lopetegui in charge and these deals being done early.
He can take a look at the players in pre-season and look to take Wolves to the next level, which he is capable of as a manager.
Getting the Neves deal wrapped up can only help Lopetegui.
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