Wolves no longer expect Arsenal and Manchester United target Ruben Neves to leave the club during the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic.
Bruno Lage’s West Midlands outfit anticipated the Portugal midfielder departing Molineux at the start of the summer. It was likely that he or teammate Adama Traore would leave to bolster their budget to reinvent the squad Nuno Espirito Santo left behind.
Neves was always the most likely of the pair to be sold after Arsenal informed Wolves of their interest. Mikel Arteta viewed the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka amid interest from Roma.
But Xhaka’s move to Italy fell through as Roma refused to match Arsenal’s rumoured €20m (£17m) asking price. Instead, Fabrizio Romano now expects the Swiss will sign a four-year contract to remain at the Emirates Stadium until 2025.
Arsenal’s decision to reject Roma’s approaches for Xhaka meant Arteta never submitted Wolves an offer for Neves. Now, Molineux chiefs believe the 22-cap international will stay at the club for Lage’s maiden campaign at the helm.
Wolves are not actively seeking to sell or offering him to potential suitors, either, and only a club coming in matching their asking price will spark a charge of heart. The Daily Mail reported in June that Wolves want around £41m to sell Neves amid interest from Arsenal.
But the Gunners always trailed in the player’s mind, with Dean Jones suggesting he was holding out for Manchester United. The Red Devils may now be Neves’ best hope of leaving Wolves with Xhaka staying at Arsenal.
Arsenal miss on out Wolves’ ‘world-class’ Neves with Xhaka decision
Neves would have easily transitioned from Wolves’ midfield to Arteta’s if Arsenal had sold Xhaka to Roma this summer. He is a seasoned Premier League professional, yet still has plenty more to offer and improve in the right setting.
Wolves icon Steve Bull also describes Neves, via the Express and Star, as a ‘world-class’ operator. One capable of producing moments of magic from range and makes everything he tries look effortless. Spraying passes left, right and centre with precise vision.
The Portuguese would have dictated Arteta’s engine room alongside Thomas Partey if he was brought to the Emirates Stadium. Instead, the Spaniard will hope to see an improved Xhaka put his Roma disappointments behind him having wanted the move.
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