---
title: "Wolves: Xavi has ‘contacted’ Ruben Neves over Barcelona move"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-xavi-has-contacted-ruben-neves-over-barcelona-move-transfer-molineux-palhinha/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-05-31T17:40:34Z"
modified: "2022-05-31T17:40:34Z"
---

# Wolves: Xavi has ‘contacted’ Ruben Neves over Barcelona move

**Barcelona manager Xavi has started talks with [Wolves](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/) midfielder Ruben Neves over a summer move to Catalonia, according to a fresh transfer rumour.**

### The Lowdown: Neves exit likely

The 25-year-old has matured into arguably Wolves’ most important player, following a superb 2021/22 season at the heart of Bruno Lage’s midfield.

Neves has been continually [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/follow-up/ruben-neves-destined-barcelona-transfer-latest/) with a summer move to Barca, however, with the Catalan giants seeing him as a primary transfer target.

While Wolves are clearly desperate to keep hold of such a prized asset, a new update suggests that the Portuguese superstar will be leaving Molineux in the near future.

[All the latest from Wolves!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-the-latest-from-wolves-8/)

### The Latest: Fresh Barca rumour emerges

According to [*Sport*](https://www.sport.es/es/) \[via [*Sport Witness*](https://sportwitness.co.uk/manager-picks-telephone-calls-wolves-player-working-convince-transfer/)\], Xavi has picked up the phone and ‘contacted’ Neves regarding a switch to the Camp Nou, with the report adding that the Wolves man is ‘enthusiastic’ about the move.

He is seen as the ‘most viable operation’ in terms of midfield signings, allowing him to compete with Sergio Busquets for playing time.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“398117″\]

### The Verdict: Matter of time?

It really does feel as though it is now a matter of when Neves leaves, rather than if, with his time at Wolves coming to a natural conclusion.

He gave everything he could in 2021/22, [featuring in 33](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/238244/Show/R%C3%BAben-Neves) of his side’s 38 [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) games, also chipping in with a tally of four goals and two assists, but he is now ready to go up another level.

Neves will be a big miss when he does leave but it is hard to begrudge him such a high-profile transfer – the key now is to find a tailor-made replacement, such as the [often-linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/wolves-palhinha-transfer-latest-sporting-lisbon-neves/) Joao Palhinha.

***In other news, Wolves have received a transfer boost regarding one player. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/wolves-palhinha-transfer-latest-sporting-lisbon-neves/).***