Wolves transfer news: £53m star identified as Ruben Neves replacement

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Wolves have reportedly identified Sporting Lisbon midfielder and rumoured Tottenham target Manuel Ugarte as their ideal replacement for Ruben Neves, who Liverpool are keen to sign.

According to Sport, the Molineux side view the Uruguay international as the ‘perfect’ successor to the 25-year-old midfielder, with Neves expected to leave Wolves at the end of this season amid growing interest in the Portuguese star, with the Mirror reporting that Liverpool are chasing the former FC Porto maestro.

Wolves are no strangers to the Portuguese market, with Julen Lopetegui’s side bringing numerous players from the Primeira Liga to the Premier League to great success, and Ugarte could be their latest triumph, though interest from Tottenham could be a problem.

Record have recently claimed that the north London side are interested in signing the 21-year-old, who could leave Sporting this summer if his €60m (£53m) release clause is met. Though this option means that Wolves might have a chance at signing Ugarte depending on how much Neves leaves for in the summer.

Indeed, Wolves have already spent big on Sporting players in the last 12 months with the club-record signing of Matheus Nunes in the summer, yet the West Midlands-based club could already trump this figure with a move for Ugarte if they can beat Tottenham to the punch.

Although it has been a season to forget for Wolves, the relation the club has to the Portuguese market will always make the Molineux side a favourite in these sort of races, and Neves leaving for Liverpool could see Tottenham miss out on Ugarte to their Premier League rivals.

Wolves should sign Ugarte if Neves leaves in major transfer

Neves’ future looks set to be away from Wolves beyond this season after six incredible years at the club, and for Lopetegui, the Spanish manager has to move for Ugarte should the Portuguese international leave for big money in the summer transfer window.

Although interest from Tottenham will make a deal difficult, Wolves have the pull and the track record to be an ideal home for the Uruguay superstar, with Lopetegui also a manager who could appeal to Ugarte’s style of play alongside the likes of Nunes.