Tottenham have reportedly joined Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the race to sign Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves. A player, Nuno Espirito Santo branded “really, really good” while Wolves boss in November 2019.
Neves, 25, has spent the last five seasons with Wolves – clocking up well over 200 appearances for the club. Now, the Portugal international is said to be open to leaving the club – and Tottenham are in the mix for his signature.
Antonio Conte is renowned for preferring defensive-minded midfielders, but ones with quality. Neves is just that, but he also adds a goal threat – whether that is from free-kicks, or his long-range shooting and volleying.
Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked not long after taking over at Spurs and was replaced by Antonio Conte. The Italian has put Spurs into contention for a place in the top four with five Premier League matches still to play.
Discussing Neves in 2019, Nuno told the Express & Star after beating Villa 2-1: “Defensively, he managed the ball, good passing – credit must go to him and Joao (Moutinho). They made it themselves. It was really, really good.”
Nuno on Neves: Tottenham should only sign him if price is right
What is a good price? Bruno Lage recently suggested that Neves is the equivalent of a player worth £100million. But is he? At that figure, Wolves will not be able to generate sufficient interest – if they are open to his exit.
A figure half of that is much more likely with Neves seemingly pushing for an exit. Perhaps, a fee between £50million and £60million would get the job done. It is, of course, what Spurs paid Lyon for Tanguy Ndombele.
Tottenham have a number of players that could look to move in the summer – and throwing one of those into the mix could aid their chances. Matt Doherty was linked with a return, but he seems crucial to Spurs, now.
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