La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have reportedly ruled out launching the offensive for 25-year-old Portuguese international Ruben Neves.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Javi Miguel, Barcelona will not be signing Ruben Neves in the summer transfer window. The economic constraints facing the Blaugrana have forced them to concentrate most of the funds towards bolstering their attack, with the 25-year-old Portuguese international deemed too expensive.
Ruben Neves has come leaps and bounds since joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from FC Porto in July 2017. The player’s brave decision to move to a then-Championship club from a flourishing Portuguese giant has paid off handsomely. He first guided Wolves to promotion before establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
To date, the 25-year-old has made 206 appearances for the Midlands club, chipping in with 24 goals and 12 assists in the process. Neves is also a full-fledged Portuguese international, going from strength to strength with each passing year. And his exploits have not gone unnoticed either, with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Barcelona, setting their sights on him.
The interest from Barcelona stems from the advancing years of Sergio Busquets. While the veteran Spanish international solid again under the tutelage of Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, the fact that he is approaching the final phase of his glittering career will not be lost on the Blaugrana.
The Catalan giants are thus scouring the market for a midfielder, with several players, including Marc Roca, emerging on their radar. And Neves is also a viable target for Barcelona, with the 25-year-old Portuguese international offering versatility with his ability to play as a holding midfielder and a box-to-box midfielder.
But Barcelona will not be launching the offensive for Neves, who has been deemed too expensive. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ high asking price is hardly surprising, considering the player still has over two years left in his current contract. Barcelona will instead focus on bolstering the attacking unit.
Barcelona’s stance could see them walking on a slippery slope, with Gavi facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou amid interest from Liverpool. But if Barcelona’s decision is final, a tricky summer transfer window could be on the cards, considering some of their offensive targets could cost a bomb.
