Jorge Mendes appears to have ruled out a move to Wolves for Nico Gonzalez, telling Football Espana that La Liga giants Barcelona ‘don’t want to sell’ the Premier League target.
Ruben Neves’ potential summer switch to the Camp Nou threatens to rob Bruno Lage of arguably his most influential player. The prospect of Nico moving in the other direction as part of the deal, however, would at least offer some consolation.
According to Spanish publication Sport, Wolverhampton Wanderers are big fans of a suave, stylish deep-lying playmaker who has been tipped to succeed the legendary Sergio Busquets at the heart of Barcelona’s La Masia-educated midfield.
“He will be better than Sergio,” predicts former Barcelona youth boss Xavi Vilajoana.
“Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta settled in the first team at 23 or 24 years old. Nico is only 19,” adds Fran Artiga, a coach at the Blaugrana’s feted academy, in conversation with Goal.
“He (Nico) is technically very gifted, is very intelligent and his physique is perfect. With him, we have the chance to build a spectacular footballer.”
High praise indeed, for a highly-gifted talent.
Could Wolves swap Ruben Neves for Nico Gonzalez?
Understandably, with head coach Xavi Hernandez looking to take a leaf out of the Pep Guardiola playbook and make La Masia central to the Barcelona project once more, Nico will not leave without a fight, regardless of whether or not Neves arrives to provide further competition in the centre of the park.
Barcelona have already agreed to sign Franck Kessie from AC Milan too.
“Nico Gonzalez, they don’t want to sell,” says Mendes, the super-agent brought Neves, Rui Patricio, Jose Sa and more to Molineux. “Even if there are offers for him, he will stay.”
Nico joined forces to Mendes recently, raising speculation regarding a potential switch to Wolverhampton.
Wolves’ ties to one of football’s most powerful agents have divided the fanbase in recent times, especially with a number of Mendes clients struggling to live up to expectations at Molineux. And the Iberian’s popularity in the Black Country could hit a new low if he succeeds in taking Neves away from a fanbase who worship the ground their pristine Portuguese playmaker walks on.
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