Premier League star feared to be going to Real Madrid for free in 2026

Real Madrid are already looking toward the future in midfield. Last summer, Xabi Alonso pushed for Martín Zubimendi, and while the club does not plan to strengthen during the current window, it is actively monitoring the market ahead of next season.

Angelo Stiller and Adam Wharton are among the leading candidates, although the Chamartín club traditionally keeps a close eye on players nearing the end of their contracts. This long-term scouting approach reflects Madrid’s preference for low-risk, high-value opportunities.

Real Madrid eyeing move for ‘free’ Neves

From Saudi Arabia, one name has been singled out directly: Rúben Neves. The Portuguese midfielder’s contract with Al Hilal expires this coming summer, and all indications suggest he will not remain in Saudi Arabia. The former FC Portoplayer will be 29 when his deal ends and is looking for a return to European football. His age and experience place him at a pivotal moment in his career.

Former Al Hilal player Al Jaber claimed on MBC that Neves is set to leave on a free transfer for Real Madrid: “I’m afraid Neves will move from Al Hilal to Real Madrid for free after his contract expires at the end of this season. There are English Premier League clubs that want to sign Neves, offering three-year contracts – until he is 31. There is Real Madrid, and I’m sure there are other clubs interested in Neves.” The suggestion has fueled speculation about Madrid’s summer plans.

Faced with Neves’ refusal to renew, the Saudi club would be willing to sell him during the upcoming winter window at a significantly reduced price. Sources in Saudi Arabia say they would accept an offer between €15 million and €20 million – roughly $16.5 million to $22 million. Manchester United are among the clubs most interested in securing the Portuguese midfielder’s services. The situation could accelerate if European suitors decide not to wait for a free transfer.

Related stories

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

After a chaotic 2025, Leverkusen are still German football’s second force

I was a huge Dragon Ball Z nerd growing up. With very little anime exposure in Scotland throughout the nineties, Goku & Co. felt like animation, action and storylines from another universe. And one of the fantastic tropes of the series was the constant twists and turns that left every episode hanging on a cliffhanger.

Transfer window preview: What do Europe’s big clubs need?

Dec 23, 2025, 04:00 AM ET The transfer window opens in early January across the Premier League, German Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Spanish LaLiga and Italian Serie A. But clubs have been busy planning their business for months. There were plenty of big moves last summer, so can we expect a repeat? ESPN’s reporters have

How Warner Bros Discovery takeover battle will affect Premier League TV rights

The next couple of years will change the TV landscape in the UK. ITV is in “preliminary” discussions to sell its broadcasting business to Sky for £1.6bn. Fierce competition from streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ has left ITV and Sky needing to react. Will they also find themselves competing with Netflix in the

A Year of Premier League Glory and New Horizons in Germany

Colombia’s Luis Diaz is currently one of the best left-wingers in the world. – Photo: @FCFSeleccionCol / X The year 2025 has been nothing short of transformative for Luis “Lucho” Diaz. From the historic docks of Liverpool to the modern skyline of Munich, the Colombian winger has solidified his status as one of the world’s

Adam Wharton: Why midfielder is key to Crystal Palace

When Crystal Palace look to take a step towards more silverware on Tuesday at Emirates Stadium, Adam Wharton may well hold the key. The 21-year-old midfielder helped the Eagles to FA Cup glory against Manchester City earlier this year and then to Community Shield success against Liverpool. Oliver Glasner’s side are two rounds from another

Why are leading Premier League teams getting narrower?

In the season leading up to a World Cup, a good run of form by an English player is often considered primarily in relation to international duty. Morgan Rogers’ excellent performances for Aston Villa, with debate around whether he deserves to be England’s starting No 10 over Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham — third in the

Football gossip: Gallagher, Disasi, Monga, Zirkzee, Semenyo, Neves, Osula

Manchester United could move for Conor Gallagher on loan, three Premier League clubs are vying for Antoine Semenyo, while Aston Villa join the race for Brennan Johnson. Manchester United have shortlisted seven midfielders to sign, with a loan deal for Atletico Madrid‘s 25-year-old England international Conor Gallagher in January being one of the more feasible

‘Napoli impeccable, but not even close to being ready to command Calcio’ in 2026

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 22: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, reacts during the trophy ceremony after the team’s victory in the Supercoppa Italiana Final between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC 1909 at King Saud University Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) Antonio Conte

Serie A soccer game between AC Milan and Como at Perth Stadium called off

In a blow to soccer fans in Western Australia, the much-anticipated Serie A game between AC MIlan and Como will not go ahead in Perth next year. The match had been pencilled in for February 8, with the game moving to Perth due to AC Milan being unable to play at the San Siro Stadium

Espanyol comes from behind to beat Athletic and deepen gloom in Bilbao

Espanyol has beaten Athletic 2-1 in Bilbao to win a fifth consecutive match in La Liga. Álex Berenguer put the home side ahead after 38 minutes but a Carlos… BILBAO, Spain(AP) — Espanyol won a fifth consecutive La Liga game on Monday, coming from behind to prevail at Athletic Bilbao 2-1 and stay within striking

Real Madrid star feels unfairly ‘singled out’ by the club’s fans

1 An insight into the current mindset of Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. has early this week come to the fore online. This comes with the Brazilian fresh off another difficult experience in the colours of Los Blancos over the weekend… Vinícius was for his part handed the captain’s armband on Saturday, as Real Madrid welcomed Sevilla

Lega Serie A President on ‘unacceptable’ Perth demands and Supercoppa changes

Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli reveals AC Milan vs. Como in Australia was dropped after ‘unacceptable new demands,’ while the Supercoppa Italiana might abandon the Final Four format. The chief spoke to Sport Mediaset ahead of this evening’s EA Sports FC Supercup Final between Napoli and Bologna at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh.

Roma interested in Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin

2   Radu Dragusin’s return to Serie A is becoming an increasingly concrete possibility as the January transfer window approaches. According to a report from Tuttomercatoweb, Roma have emerged as a serious suitors for the Tottenham defender, looking to bolster a backline that has lacked consistency this season. The Romanian center-back is no stranger to

When Fiorentina targeted Paratici in secretive Rome meetings

epa08429533 Juventus’ Chief Football Officer Fabio Paratici arrives to the club training ground in Turin, Italy, 18 May 2020. Several countries around the globe have started to ease COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in an effort to restart their economies and help people in their daily routines after the outbreak of COVID-19. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO Fabio

Real Madrid overtakes Barcelona to lead one key LaLiga table

This Monday brought more than just Spain’s Christmas lottery payouts. Spanish soccer’s television windfall was also handed out, with LaLiga publishing the distribution of broadcast revenue for the 2024-25 season, one of the most important income streams for clubs. LaLiga allocated €1.432 billion ($1.68 billion) in audiovisual rights, down from €1.498 billion ($1.76 billion) the

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x