La Liga champions Barcelona are pressing ahead in their deal to sign Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves but Camp Nou boss Xavi Hernandez is ‘unconvinced’ about the Premier League playmaker.
After securing their first domestic title since 2019 with a derby victory over Espanyol on Sunday night, Barca will now turn their focus to the summer transfer window.
And, with those very well-publicised financial issues still hanging like a dark cloud over the Camp Nou, the simple fact that Ruben Neves is entering the final 12 months of his contract serves only to make the former Porto captain all-the-more appealing to a Blaugrana side facing up to the prospect of being forced to raise almost £180 million in order to ease those FFP fears.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta, ESPN say, is ‘making progress’ with a deal. Laporta has a good relationship with Neves’ agent, Jorge Mendes; the Portuguese deal-maker who helped bring Adama Traore to the Camp Nou on loan in January 2022.
Is Ruben Neves leaving Wolves for Barcelona?
Not everyone at the Camp Nou is particularly enthralled with Neves’ arrival, however.
While an outstanding technician, Xavi reportedly fears that the 26-year-old may be a bit of an awkward fit in blue-and-red. The 2010 World Cup winner would prefer to bring in Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi as a replacement for the departing Sergio Busquets, though his £53 million price-tag may be beyond Barcelona’s financial means for the time being.
What’s more, Zubimendi is in no rush to leave a Champions League-chasing La Real outfit.
“I have never said that I want to leave Real,” the 24-year-old said last week. “And I do nothing but watch news about it (speculation over my future). It makes me feel uncomfortable.
“The best thing I can do is stay here. I haven’t even considered leaving. I’m at home, and happy to continue growing here at the club.
“It’s very nice to be at home and be able to compete at the highest level. And it’s very nice to renew (your contract) and see your team-mates also renew because they believe in this project.”
Neves is certainly more affordable, and attainable, than Zubimendi. He will be a free-agent in 2024, and Wolves may jump at the chance to cash in while his value is still relatively high. The recent addition of Joao Gomes from Flamengo, meanwhile, should help Julen Lopetegui’s side adapt to life without a bonafide, modern day Old Gold legend.
Wolves paid a then-club-record £16 million fee to sign Neves all the way back in 2017.
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