By Louis Nixon

It has appeared that there’s an opportunity for Ruben Neves to be signed from Saudi Arabia in January, and it could prove a smart option given Nuno’s history with the midfielder. 

Ruben Neves has spent a handful of years in Saudi Arabia after completing his move in the 2023/24 season to Al-Hilal, but now has decided that a move back to the Premier League at 28 years old is a good time to utilise his ‘prime years’ rather than continuing in Saudi.

He’s currently said to be available for around the £20 million mark but that doesn’t come with numerous personal term complications as it does with all players that end up in Saudi Arabia, which is primarily because taxes are had to be paid if a move back to England is in order, which is why moves tend to be difficult, such as the Jota deal who the Hammers attempted to sign, but the move didn’t transpire to being possible. 

However, presuming that the deal would be possible to conclude, it begs the question should the Hammers even sign him? Whilst he would be in his prime, it’s ironically for the only position that Nuno’s side doesn’t exactly require, which is a midfielder; however, it could also present the opportunity to test Magassa at centre back, where he played for a significant amount of time whilst at Monaco, so it could provide an alternative strategy. 

On the other hand, it has to be mentioned that the Ruben Neves links appear to come across as a ‘luxury item’ and it would take some severe convincing for him to join a side that, at this moment in time, look destined for relegation and a historic turnout would be required, whereas he could join someone else who is already established and striving for European Football… I know where my choices would lie!

More importantly, there’s also the discussion that many other positions need to be targeted, in which a primary central defender and a forward are the key points of concern. Both positions are desperately required and it feels that the links to Neves are dubious at best and are only formed due to the former relationship between him and Nuno. 

It would certainly be a shocker if a deal were to occur, but weirder things have happened in Football! Though the majority would be in unity in agreeing that other positions have to be focused on, even then, we’ll need some serious convincing and poker faces to secure any deals over the line.