After the initial shock, excitement, and Portuguese headlines that Ruben Neves to Championship club Wolves is a done thing, naturally there came doubt.
Last summer Wolves were repeatedly linked to Benfica’s Talisca, and that came to nothing, but the Talisca links were never as serious as Neves has already been.
Not even close.
Different Portuguese newspapers often have different slants, so it’s worth looking at what each says today.
Record report that Neves to Wolves will soon be official. They add that it wasn’t until Saturday afternoon that the transfer was ‘formalised’ with Wolves.
According to Record, over the next week Neves will travel to England to have a Wolves medical and to put pen to paper with the Championship club.
As far as Porto’s financial situation is concerned, Record say the year ended on Friday but UEFA will accept this latest transfer as part of the accounting process.
That may be a matter of opinion.
O Jogo get straight to the point and go with a headline reading: ‘Ruben travels to sign’
The Portuguese newspaper then add ‘After the agreement between FC Porto and the English club, the signature of the player follows’O Jogo say that Porto are guaranteed €18m, not making it clear if any more is due via bonuses. They believe Neves will travel on Monday or Tuesday for a Wolves medical, and will then sign the paperwork.
Should the midfielder only travel on Tuesday, O Jogo are curious to know if he’ll be at Porto on Monday to say goodbye to the club which has formed him as a footballer.
It’s even pondered whether the 20 year old will stay in a hotel near the Championship club or quickly find himself a house, O Jogo point out this is especially pressing because his wife is pregnant.
A Bola go with the headline ‘Goodbye’, which speaks for itself, and whilst there’s some sadness at seeing Neves go, there’s also a relief that his sale helps Porto’s financial situation.
After Jorge Mendes spent some time assisting the finances of Portuguese clubs via Valencia and Nuno Espirito Santo, which turned out appallingly for the Spanish club, Wolves fans will hope things turn out better for them.
