Arsenal and Manchester United will have to fork out at least £40 million to secure the services of Ruben Neves in January.
A recent report from The Sun has offered an update on the January pursuit of Ruben Neves. Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs interested in snapping up the Portuguese midfielder late in the month, with the former reportedly keen on forking out £35 million. However, Wolves are confident of keeping hold of their star man in January and are holding out for a higher price tag.
The report suggests Wolves are expecting something between £40-45 million or perhaps even higher for Neves, serving a major blow to Man United and Arsenal’s hopes of securing his services in the current window.
Fresh from the sale of Adama Traore, Wolves are determined to keep hold of Ruben Neves beyond the summer by securing European football next season. The midfielder’s current deal at Molineux runs until 2024, though many believe his spell at the club could come to an end much sooner.
With almost 200 competitive appearances for Wolves, the Portuguese international is regarded as one of the most accomplished defensive midfielders in the Premier League. His consistent performances, coupled with his work ethic, aggression and tenacity, have made him a top target for several clubs across England.
One club particularly keen on acquiring the services of Neves is Arsenal. The Londoners have had a very disappointing transfer window so far, failing to add a new midfielder to their ranks. They were in the market for Arthur Melo, but the move has likely collapsed, as Juventus reportedly have no intention to offload the player on loan.
It has compelled Mikel Arteta to set his sights back on Neves, with the Spaniard even eyeing a sensational late January swoop. Arteta believes the Portuguese international could be an excellent midfield partner for Thomas Partey in the long run, helping the club undergo a seamless transition to the new era.
Another potential destination for the former FC Porto starlet is Manchester United. Much like the Gunners, the Red Devils are desperate to sign new midfielders that can compete with Fred and Scott McTominay during the second half of the campaign.
Neves fits the bill well, given his vast experience in English football. His composure, aggression and work ethic may also make him an ideal fit for Ralf Rangnick’s tactical philosophy. However, as it stands, the player may never play under Ragnick as Wolves are keen on keeping hold of the midfielder in January and even set to offer extreme resistance in the summer transfer window.
