Player admits frustration with FC Barcelona and moved to Saudi Arabia instead

FC Barcelona was interested in signing many players last summer, but they didn't get the players they wanted. As Sergio Busquets left the club to join Inter Miami last summer, Barca was desperate to sign a midfielder. While not getting the player they wanted, they bought Oriol Romeu from Girona and signed him on a three-year contract. Romeu has not lived up to expectations, and now a former Premier League player reveals that he was close to moving to Barcelona last summer. After long negotiations with the Catalan club, the player moved to Saudi Arabia instead.

Related News: FC Barcelona interested in winger, player's agent mentions Barca

The player who moved to Saudi Arabia instead of joining FC Barcelona was Ruben Neves, who joined Al Hilal last summer from Wolves. Neves admits that impatience with talks with FC Barcelona and Arsenal led to him joining the Saudi Pro League. In an interview with O Jojo, Neves said, "I was close to joining three different clubs, which never happened. I got frustrated and decided to join Al Hilal. I didn't want to mention any names, but one of the clubs was Barcelona. I was very close to joining them, same with Arsenal."

Neves praises the Saudi Pro League and compares it to European leagues. Neves said, "I feel no difference between Saudi and European leagues. I’m not planning to return soon [to Europe]. Saudi can have one of the best leagues in the world within two years. Quality of players joining here is excellent, it look like PlayStation!"
Related News: Barca willing to spend $40M on Premier League player but club wants more

Ruben Neves talks about missing life at Wolves in the Premier League

Despite not wanting to return to Europe, Neves admits to missing playing at Wolves in the Premier League. Neves said, "It was six very good and happy years. I have enormous affection for the club [Wolves], which is the one I have followed most since I came here, along with Porto. I had a lot of affection for the players, for the people who work there, for the city. I often tell my wife that if I have a longer break, I want to go back there to feel the stadium and the people. I was very loved."