Ruben Neves reveals Wolves transfer dream - but big stumbling block emerges

Ruben Neves has revealed he would return to Wolverhampton Wanderers one day, but Premier League football and wage barriers make it difficult

Rúben Neves has told his friends he would 'love' to play for Wolverhampton Wanderers again one day. However, there are at least two major stumbling blocks that could halt this emotional reunion.

Wolves are back in the Championship for the first time in over eight years, and as the Old Gold undergo a solid return to life in the second tier in the opening stages of the season, supporters will be hoping this campaign is reminiscent of the last time they were in the division.

Under Nuno Espírito Santo, Wolves romped to the Championship title in 2018, and could boast the likes of Diogo Jota, Willy Boly, and Ruben Neves in their ranks, with the latter recently revealing his 'dream' to return to Molineux one day.

Rúben Neves is dreaming of a move 'home' to Wolves, but wage demands may prove difficult to overcome

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According to Alan Nixon's Patreon, former Wolves midfielder Neves has told his close friends that he would 'love' to return to the Black Country outfit one day, especially if they are playing in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old has spent the last few years at Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, after moving to the Middle East in the summer of 2023 from Wolves for around £47 million.

Whilst Wolves would almost certainly do anything to bring the 70-capped Portuguese international back to the club, and though Neves may be open to the move, his extortionate wages, which Nixon reports to be in excess of £400k per week, create an obvious barrier.

Even if the Old Gold return to the Premier League anytime soon, they would struggle to reach even half of his current reported pay packet, as Neves would have to take a major cut in his wages to follow his 'dream'.

The midfielder signed an extension for the Riyadh-based outfit back in February 2026 until the summer of 2029, as no return to the Midlands appears imminent, though should that indeed be a real possibility in the future, Neves will be well aware of the financial hit he would have to stomach to make the move viable.

Rúben Neves and Wolves still share a strong relationship

Neves joined Wolves in the summer of 2017 for around £18 million from Porto, having become the youngest player to ever captain a team in the Champions League two years prior, aged just 18 years and 221 days old.

His addition was viewed as a real coup at the time, and so it proved to be, as Neves would play a key role in firing Wolves back to the Premier League during his first year at the club, and would remain an ever-present in the middle of the park at Molineux thereafter for the next five years.

The 29-year-old would make over 250 appearances for Wolves during a real golden age for the club during their ventures in the Premier League and into Europe, with his performances and passion winning over the Old Gold fanbase.

With Raul Jimenez having returned to the club already in the most recent window, a return of Neves one day simply cannot be ruled out, as Wolves fans can dream.

Cesar Peixoto will have added Premier League ambitions at Wolves

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Certainly, Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto would have required little more motivation to fire the club back to the Premier League this season, but with Neves' comments, the former Gil Vicente coach will surely be grinning from ear to ear.

Peixoto would likely love to work with his compatriot in the Black Country, and given Neves' talents, the opportunity to take Wolves back to the top flight and help to sanction the return of the midfielder will only give the 46-year-old added motivation.

Wolves are one of the favourites for promotion this season, and if they can reach their goal and re-establish themselves back in the top flight, it would certainly do their chances of bringing back Neves no harm.