Florentino Perez shuts down January move for Real Madrid midfield target | OneFootball

According to a report from Defensa Central, a potential winter move involving Ruben Neves and Real Madrid has already been ruled out at the boardroom level. 

Despite recent noise linking the Portuguese midfielder with a return to European football, the club’s president, Florentino Perez, has taken a strong stance against pursuing the deal in January.

Real Madrid are currently analysing several options as they plan to reshape their midfield for next season. The focus, however, is clearly on the long-term rather than short-term fixes. 

Younger profiles such as Adam Wharton, Kees Smit and Angelo Stiller have been discussed internally. 

Neves, for that matter, briefly appeared on the radar, but that interest has not gone beyond informal conversations.

Notably, reports gained traction after comments from Al Jaber, a former Al-Hilal player, who suggested that Real Madrid could be an attractive destination for Neves. 

While the statement sparked speculation, the reality is far more complex. Neves currently earns a very high salary in Saudi Arabia, a figure that does not align with Real Madrid’s strict wage policy. 

Any potential deal would require heavy negotiations, not only with the player but also with his current club.

Real Madrid rule out any move

Real Madrid have ruled out Neves’ option. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

From Madrid’s perspective, the numbers simply do not add up for a January move. 

Even though Al-Hilal could be open to selling Neves for a fee believed to be between €15 million and €20 million, Perez is unwilling to pay for a player he could potentially sign for free in the summer. 

The club president remains consistent with his strategy, which is to avoid unnecessary spending in the winter market and strike when conditions are more favourable.

There is also the sporting angle to consider. Manager Xabi Alonso had already made it clear during the summer that he wanted reinforcements in defence and midfield. 

Recent injuries and unexpected developments have only strengthened his case. 

However, Real Madrid believe these needs can be addressed without compromising their financial discipline midway through the season.