Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez is reportedly in contact with 25-year-old Portuguese international Ruben Neves, a priority target for the Blaugrana.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Ruben Neves has become a priority target for Barcelona heading into the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants view the Portuguese international as a long-term successor for Sergio Busquets, with Xavi Hernandez in contact with the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder.
Ruben Neves has come a long way since making the brave decision to join Wolverhampton Wanderers from FC Porto in July 2017 while they were in the EFL Championship. After swiftly guiding the Midlands outfit to the Premier League, the 25-year-old has helped them remain a mainstay in the top flight while establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in England.
The Portuguese international has turned out 212 times for Wolves thus far, chipping in with 24 goals and 12 assists. But Neves will likely leave the Black Country club in the summer transfer window to embark on a new challenge in the summer transfer window. Such a situation has captured the attention of several European bigwigs, including Barcelona.
Barcelona’s pursuit of chief targets in the summer transfer window remains up in the air after recent suggestions that their financial status remains suspect. But if they manage to recover enough to do business ahead of the 2022/23 season, the Catalan giants are likely to sign at least one central midfielder in Franck Kessie.
But Sergio Busquets’s advancing years have prompted Xavi Hernandez to consider bringing in a holding midfielder to succeed him in the long run. To that end, Ruben Neves has emerged as a viable target for Barcelona this summer, with the Portuguese international’s eagerness to leave Wolves working in their favour.
Recent reports have suggested that Neves dreams of playing for Barcelona, making him an appealing target for the Blaugrana. But his price tag will undoubtedly be a constraint for Barcelona amid their long-dragging financial crisis unless things fall into place with various deals.
But Barcelona will continue to take steps towards securing the services of the 25-year-old, with Xavi Hernandez establishing contact with him. Neves’s desire to join Barcelona will hold them in good stead, but negotiating a transfer fee with Wolves will be a big task for the Blaugrana.