Tottenham have a problem as West Ham set sights on former PL midfielder

While Palhinha has made a strong impact at N17 by anchoring the midfield and offering additional protection in front of the backline, Spurs are still missing a player who can control the tempo from deep and create chances from deep. The Portuguese international lacks the ability to influence games with the ball, which has forced the Lilywhites to look for an upgrade in the winter.

Tottenham face an uphill task of landing Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves

It comes as no surprise that Tottenham are targeting midfield reinforcements in January. Recent reports suggest the Lilywhites are interested in signing Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves, with Thomas Frank said to be a keen admirer of the player. The Portuguese international is reportedly open to a return to Europe after rejecting a new contract offer from Al-Hilal, which could force the Saudi club to cash in during the winter to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer.

However, securing the prolific midfielder will not be straightforward for the North London club. According to Ekrem Konur (via X), West Ham United boss Nuno Espirito Santo is eager to reunite with Neves in the upcoming transfer window. The Hammers are firmly in the race for the 28-year-old’s signature and are willing to intensify their pursuit. Al Hilal have reportedly set an asking price of around €20 million if they are to part ways with him in January.

There is no doubt that Neves would make an immediate impact at any Premier League club should he return to England in the coming weeks. The Portuguese international played a key role in helping Wolves establish themselves in the top-flight in 2018 and went on to make 253 appearances during his time at Molineux. He quickly showcased his quality in the Premier League, which eventually earned him a high-profile move to Al Hilal in 2023.

As such, signing a player of Neves’ calibre would appear to be a no-brainer for Spurs in the coming weeks. At just 28, the midfielder still has plenty of years left at the top level and could play a pivotal role in helping Tottenham build on last season’s Europa League success. He would also be well-suited to Thomas Frank’s midfield setup, given his ability to dictate the tempo of the game and create chances from deep.