Perez blocks Arbeloa’s plan as Neves eyes Bernabéu: Madrid’s cautious winter stance
19 January 2026
Ruben Neves and the Madrid Dilemma
Real Madrid’s pursuit of Ruben Neves continues to spark discussion as the Portuguese midfielder from Al Hilal has been directly pitched to the club by his agents.
Spanish radio Cadena SER reports that the 28-year-old has told his representatives he wants to move to the Bernabéu this January.
Madrid’s Stance and Arbeloa’s View
The club’s technical staff, led by coach Álvaro Arbeloa, see midfield reinforcement as essential and view Neves as a smart option for either this month or next summer, depending on Madrid’s plans.
Florentino Pérez, however, has reportedly not aligned with the suggestion, deeming a mid-season outlay risky without a guaranteed immediate impact on the pitch.
The same cautious approach reportedly applies to other winter deals, with the president and board preferring to protect the current squad during January windows.
Match Context
The report also links the Neves saga to a Champions League encounter between Real Madrid and Monaco, slated for 20 January 2026 at 21:00.
Real Madrid and Monaco are shown as competing teams with big nights ahead.
Stay tuned for updates on whether the middle of season business yields a surprise, or if the squad remains as is.
Punchline 1: If January transfers were a diet, Perez would skip calories and keep the whole cake on the shelf.
Punchline 2: Neves wants Bernabéu; Perez wants a risk-free balance sheet—call it the transfer market’s ultimate anti-diet.
