On Friday, Mundo Deportivo reported Barcelona have a ‘verbal agreement’ with Rúben Neves’ agent, Jorge Mendes, to sign the Wolverhampton Wanderers star.
Later that day, Sport explained the deal to take the 26-year-old to the Camp Nou is ‘very close’ and Barca are waiting for La Liga’s approval to their feasibility plan before making any moves.
Saturday’s Mundo Deportivo states the ‘verbal agreement’ between the Catalan club and the Wolves player’s agent is ‘subject to the departure’ of Ansu Fati.
The winger is also managed by Mendes. The agent must place him at another club for a minimum of €30m more than what the Portugal international is going to cost. If this were to happen, then Neves can join the Blaugrana.
Earlier claims talked about about a player-plus-cash deal involving him and Neves with Julen Lopetegui’s side. Mundo insist the attacker has no desire to leave Barcelona, more so to a club like Wolves, who won’t offer him Champions League football next season.
Wolves are ‘always attentive’ to Barca’s young talents and ‘everything indicates’ the latter will make at least some deal with the English club. This could be used to lower the price for Neves.
Xavi Hernández and his coaching staff aren’t in favour of Barca’s pursuit of Neves. Mundo say they would accept him as a squad player, as long as his arrival doesn’t stop them from signing another top-level midfielder.
Earlier claims suggested Xavi and Barcelona’s sporting leaders were against the Wolves player’s arrival in the summer.
The latest report indicates they have now softened their stance on Neves. This could come as an encouragement for the Portuguese to seal a move to the Camp Nou.
