Wolves will demand an ‘extraordinary’ bid to sell reported Arsenal and Manchester United target Ruben Neves in the final days of the January transfer window, according to The Sun.
The Molineux natives are now confident they can weather any late storm as the sales start to shut down. Boss Bruno Lage has been braced for bids to descend on the West Midlands outfit this month. Yet, so far, no club has formalised their interest in the Portugal maestro.
Manchester United have shown a keen interest in the 26-cap star and hoped a £35m offer would be sufficient. But Wolves set a £40m-45m asking price to keep his possible suitors at arm’s length. And now they will only start negotiations upon receiving bids in that region.
Wolves are confident enough time has passed in the January transfer window for Neves to end the month at Molineux. The Black Country outfit also feel they can fend off any bids in the summer if Lage can capitalise on their run into contention for European qualification.
Neves has previously stated his desires to play in Europe and is not close to signing a new contract. While the 24-year-old is happy at Molineux, his £50k-a-week deal expires in 2024. So, Neves is starting to consider taking his next step with some top sides showing interest.
Manchester United open door for Arsenal to seal transfer for Wolves’ Neves
Lage knows Neves leaving amid transfer interest from Arsenal and Manchester United will seriously impact Wolves’ European hopes. The West Midlands outfit are four-points from the top-four and also have a game in hand over the Red Devils.
Manchester United were determined to sign Neves from Wolves in the January transfer window, The Sun noted earlier this month. But their decision to hold back has opened the door for Mikel Arteta to swoop with the ‘extraordinary’ bid needed.
That’s because The Athletic claim Arsenal’s interest in a transfer for Neves has not lessened since eying the Wolves star last summer. The Gunners deemed the midfielder – who Jamie Redknapp called ‘outstanding’ in a Daily Mail column – a replacement for Granit Xhaka.
While Xhaka stayed in north London and signed a new contract, he is still the subject of interest from Roma. The Swiss has also left a sour taste among supporters after earning his second red card this season. He now has five since joining Arsenal for £35m in 2016.
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