Hannah Mckay-Reuters via Imagn Images

€20m rated Iberian star rejects new contract proposal amid Tottenham interest; January move possible

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Aaryan Choksi | Last updated Nov 21, 2025 1:00 PM ET

Tottenham Hotspur target Ruben Neves makes transfer stance clear as he wants immediate Al Hilal exit

Tottenham showed real intent in the summer by bringing in several high-profile names to strengthen the squad for the current season. The Lilywhites added significant attacking talent, signing Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and Randal Kolo Muani before deadline day. They also completed the permanent transfer of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich during the window.

However, the North Londoners failed to address some glaring issues in the squad that are now coming back to haunt Thomas Frank. Chief among them is the absence of a deep-lying playmaker capable of both dictating tempo and covering for João Palhinha in the holding midfield role. Spurs lack depth in the #6 position, forcing Palhinha to play every match without rest.

Beyond that, the Lilywhites have struggled to retain possession and control the rhythm of games. Too often, Frank’s men are either chasing the ball or relying on counter-attacking transitions. This has created a significant gap in midfield, as there is little space for creative players due to the pragmatic approach adopted by Frank.

Tottenham hoping to land Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves in January

It is no surprise, then, that Tottenham are aiming to bring in a deep-lying playmaker in the upcoming transfer window. The Lilywhites want more depth in central midfield, creating competition for Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur in the second half of the campaign. Strengthening the squad is also seen as a chance to close the gap on their rivals this season.

Recent reports suggest Spurs are monitoring the progress of experienced midfielder Ruben Neves in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese international has performed well outside Europe, winning multiple titles with Al Hilal, including the Saudi Pro League. Yet his future remains uncertain, with the same report claiming the Saudi giants would be willing to part ways with him for around €20m in January.

Now, the Lilywhites have received a major boost in their pursuit of the 28-year-old. According to Ekrem Konur (via X), Neves has rejected a new contract from Al Hilal and made it clear he wants to return to Europe in the coming weeks. The Portugal star is in the final year of his contract and is open to leaving for a modest fee in January.

This development comes at the perfect time for Spurs, who are actively looking to reinforce their midfield ahead of the season’s run-in. Signing Neves would undoubtedly add quality and control to Tottenham’s engine room. And with Yves Bissouma potentially leaving in the winter, bringing in Neves could serve as an immediate upgrade in that role as well.

The only stumbling block in completing a deal is his enormous salary. Neves currently earns a staggering £410,000 per week at Al Hilal, which makes negotiations difficult if he insists on maintaining those wages. How the North Londoners work around this obstacle, and whether they can ultimately land the highly rated midfielder, remains to be seen.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: