La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly edging closer to signing Ruben Neves, with talks over a January deal advancing.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona might secure the services of Ruben Neves in the January transfer window. The 25-year-old Portuguese international has seen his agent, Jorge Mendes, act as a moderator between the Blaugrana and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a six-month loan deal likely.
Ruben Neves has gone from strength to strength since joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from FC Porto half a decade ago. The Portuguese midfielder is now one of the leaders at the Molineux and has assumed the captain’s armband following Conor Coady’s move to Everton.
The 25-year-old has turned out 224 times thus far for Wolverhampton Wanderers, chipping in with 26 goals and 12 assists. But Neves has a little over 18 months left on his contract, which has alerted Barcelona. And the Blaugrana might sign the Portuguese international in the January transfer window.
The Catalan giants view Neves as a long-term successor for Sergio Busquets. The Barcelona captain has been a mainstay in the middle of the park for the Blaugrana for nearly a decade and a half. But Busquets’s performance levels have waned in the past year, with age catching up with him.
So Barcelona will have to lay down a succession plan for the veteran midfielder, especially with Frenkie de Jong’s future up in the air. Neves is thus a viable target for Barcelona, considering he has shown leadership qualities at Wolverhampton Wanderers. At the same time, the 25-year-old is adept with the ball at his feet.
The Portuguese international also has goals in him from range, adding to his appeal. And after intensifying contact with Neves’s entourage, the Catalan giants are advancing talks to sign him. Jorge Mendes is now trying to oversee a loan deal in the January transfer window, giving Barcelona an obligation to buy Neves in the summer.
Busquets’s dropping performance levels have forced Barcelona to pursue Neves for the January transfer window. And with talks over a deal advancing, it will be interesting to see if the two clubs agree to a short-term loan deal with an obligation-to-buy clause.