Arsenal target now made top priority for Barcelona after transfer bombshell

Follow us on Google Discover

FC Barcelona have reportedly made rumoured Arsenal target Ruben Neves their priority midfield signing after Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi nears a new contract with the La Liga side.

According to Sport, the Catalan giants have switched their full attention to the Wolves maestro after news this weekend that Zubimendi intends to reject any advances from Barcelona to sign a new contract with Sociedad, with the 23-year-old enjoying a fantastic season with the Basque side.

As a result, Barcelona will now look to sign Neves in 2023, with Arsenal also chasing the Portuguese international as reported by the Mirror, with Wolves valuing their star midfielder at £50m as an exit next year looms ever closer for the former FC Porto star.

Whilst Wolves’ form this season has been poor, Neves performances have still been solid, even with the midfielder having to fill in at centre-back due to an injury crisis currently plaguing the Molineux side. And as a result, a move from Barcelona now feels likely with Zubimendi staying put at Sociedad.

Indeed, the bombshell from Zubimendi was not what those at Barcelona were expecting. Yet with Neves still on the club’s radar, there’s a strong chance that Xavi Hernandez can swoop for the Wolves star even with Arsenal still in the race for the Portuguese midfielder.

Central midfield is a position Arsenal tried and failed to strengthen in the summer transfer window, and although Mikel Arteta’a side have been flying in the league this season, the area still could do with an extra body in the January market.

Barcelona could blow Arsenal out of the water to sign Ruben Neves

Neves’ future looks set to be away from Wolves as we approach 2023, and Barcelona could have the facilities to blow Arsenal out of the water for the midfielder, even with their crippling financial situation still continuing to eat away at the club.

After all, Barcelona can offer Neves guaranteed first-team football at one of the biggest clubs in all of sport as well as regular minutes in the UEFA Champions League, whilst Arsenal might struggle to deliver on either promise given their UEFA Europa League status and the form of Granit Xhaka.