Former Al-Hilal midfielder Al Jaber has tipped 28-year-old Portuguese international Ruben Neves to join Real Madrid for free next summer amid his links with Manchester United.

As relayed by AS, former Al-Hilal player Al Jaber has tipped Real Madrid to win the race to sign Ruben Neves by sealing a Bosman deal next summer. The Portuguese international is also a target for Manchester United, with Al-Hilal open to selling him for €15-20 million in the winter transfer window.

Al Jaber said, “I fear Neves will move from Al Hilal to Real Madrid for free after his contract with the club expires at the end of this season. There are Premier League clubs that want to sign Neves, and the contracts they are offering him are for three years, meaning until he turns 31. Real Madrid is also interested, and I’m sure there are other clubs that want Neves.”

How has Ruben Neves fared in the Saudi Pro League?

Ruben Neves has been one of the best players in the Saudi Pro League since completing a shock move to Al-Hilal from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2023. The 28-year-old has enjoyed tremendous success at Al-Hilal, winning nearly half a dozen trophies, including the Saudi Pro League title with the Blue Waves.

The Portuguese international has made over 100 appearances thus far for Al-Hilal while chipping in with 14 goals and 25 assists. However, Neves’s long-term future is uncertain, as he will enter the final six months of his contract in January. The situation has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several bigwigs, with Manchester United and Real Madrid among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

A man in demand

Manchester United’s interest in Ruben Neves is understandable. The Red Devils are scouring the market for a versatile midfielder, as Casemiro is on the wrong side of 30. Additionally, Manuel Ugarte has been dreadful since joining Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain last year. So, Neves is a viable target for Manchester United.

As for Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso has a stacked midfield unit. However, Dani Ceballos faces an uncertain future at the Santiago Bernabeu, while widespread reports have linked Eduardo Camavinga with Premier League bigwigs. So, Neves is an option worth considering for Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Neves has entered the final seven months of his contract, and a winter departure may be on the cards. However, with Al Jaber predicting Real Madrid to sign the Al-Hilal midfielder for free, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the 28-year-old Portuguese international.