Wolves are preparing for reported Liverpool target Ruben Neves to leave the club this summer.
That’s according to journalist and ‘transfer guru’ Alex Crook. Writing for TalkSPORT, Crook claimed that Wolves are now resigned to losing Neves at the end of the season.
“Wolves are also preparing themselves for the departure of stalwarts Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho at the end of the season,” the journalist writes.
“Neves is on the radar of Spanish giants Barcelona and Liverpool. While veteran Moutinho turns 37 in September and new boss Julen Lopetegui wants a younger, more dynamic midfield.”
Wolves finally lose Neves battle
As Liverpool scour the market for suitable midfield options, Neves has emerged as a leading candidate.
Having now been impressing in the Premier League for five seasons, the time definitely feels right for a move. A starter for Portugal at the World Cup, Neves should be playing Champions League football.
Whether Liverpool will be offering that next season remains in the balance. But moving forward the Reds will hope to be able to more often than not.
As his talents are hardly a secret, it’s quite amazing that Wolves have been able to keep Neves as long as they have.
There have been rumblings of a move before, but nothing has ever been followed through on. As a result, the 25-year-old is now Wolves’ captain and leader.
Former boss Bruno Lage called the Portugal star ‘special’ via The Athletic, and Jurgen Klopp has been raving about him too.
With Wolves embroiled in a relegation battle, it’s no surprise to hear they’ve accepted defeat in their bid to keep Neves.
Now the only question that remains is where is the midfielder heading? Liverpool would feel like a decent fit, but Barcelona have reportedly been longer-term admirers. Should Neves come to market, there’ll no doubt be more Premier League sides interested too. One to keep an eye out for.