Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Leeds United - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - March 18, 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Craig Brough EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Transfer insider Dean Jones has provided some fresh news involving highly sought after Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves, name-checking Manchester City as a possible suitor ahead of the meeting tonight.
The lowdown: Wanted man
Signed for a then Championship record £15.8million from FC Porto in 2017 (BBC), the Portuguese ace has been on an upwards trajectory ever since arriving at Molineux.
An integral part of the Wanderers side that earned promotion and subsequently became established in the Premier League, the 25-year-old has been the subject of increased speculation in recent weeks as Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona are all indexed to Neves.
Seemingly increasingly likely to move on this summer, with reports earlier this week even saying he’s ready to quit and force through a move to Catalonia, one reputable journalist has suggested another big hitter could be keen on the playmaker’s services…
The latest: Jones cites Man City
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones has suggested that title-challengers Manchester City could feasibly join the race to land the 26-cap Portugal star.
The journalist said: “He is perfectly capable of playing at any of the top clubs in the European positions. So, it’s just really a case of who’s got an available spot in the team that opens up for him to play. To be honest, it could even be Man City, I wouldn’t rule that out.”
If Pep Guardiola has his eye on a move for the Portugal star, he will certainly be keeping an eye out when the teams meet tonight (Wednesday, May 11).
The verdict: Crucial summer ahead
Whilst Wolves boss Bruno Lage will be desperate to keep Neves at the club, it appears inevitable that the hierarchy will need to fend off major interest over the coming months.
Described as ‘amazing’ by Wanderers’ goalkeeper Jose Sa following a goalscoring display against Brentford, the creative midfield maestro has scored four times and provided two assists in 30 Premier League outings this season and will be crucial if the club are going to progress to the next level.
Under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), the club are in no rush to sell and can therefore hold out for maximum value should the desire from the player to compete in the Champions League prove impossible to ignore.
What position will Wolves finish in the Premier League this season?
If there is indeed interest from Guardiola and Manchester City, Neves has the ideal stage in which to showcase his skills when the two sides meet at Molineux.
In other news, Wolves have been backed to sign a Premier League attacker this summer. Find out who it is here.
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