Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Rúben Neves is ‘very close’ to completing a move to Barcelona.
That’s according to Sport, who say that the Portuguese star will be one of two players brought in this summer to reinforce Barcelona’s midfield as they plan an overhaul in that area of the team.
The newspaper explains that Barcelona are planning for life without Sergio Busquets and had drawn up a short list of options to replace him when he departs at the end of the season.
As of today, ‘everything points’ to Neves being the one chosen to replace their departing star, despite their being doubts about the player from Xavi and his team.
That has been overlooked as the player can be signed from Wolves in an ‘economically advantageous operation’ that would also help them in terms of the salary cap imposed by La Liga.
Manager Xavi has already met with President Joan Laporta in the last few hours to agree on squad planning and transfers, including Neves, who Barcelona consider a ‘strategic operation’.
The Wolves midfielder is represented by Jorge Mendes and has already ‘shown his willingness’ to make the move, agreeing a four-year deal with them almost three months ago.
The plan is to bring him on a free transfer but in a deal that will exclude an exchange of footballers. Mendes has been working on Wolves and the first idea was to include Ansu Fati, who he also represents.
That would have seen Wolves pay €30m and include Neves but was ended by Fati, who didn’t want the move to Molineux despite pressure from his agent and Barcelona.
Thus, Mendes is working on other possible players being included in the deal to balance it out financially, with Sergiño Dest, Abde Ezzalzouli or Nico González all options.
That needs to be worked out, but Barcelona will respect the agreement they have with Neves as long as it is ‘economically profitable’ for them.
Everything is current in Mendes hands and if he can wrangle the matter so it works out in Barcelona’s favour then Neves will end up at the Nou Camp this summer.
