Ruben Neves is likely to leave Wolves this summer, but there is apparently nothing in the claims Wolves are ready to offer him plus cash for Barcelona winger Ansu Fati.
Journalist Liam Keen spoke about the midfielder yesterday on the Express & Star podcast.
Neves may well now be making his final few appearances for Wanderers.
The Portuguese maestro will only have one year left on his contract, and it has been claimed that Wolves could sell will his market value is still decent.
Last week, there was a very bold claim that Wolves were going to offer Neves plus £26 million for Barcelona star Fati.
This report was discussed by Keen and Nathan Judah on this week’s Express & Star podcast, and Keen has dismissed the claim and cleared up the situation with Neves.
He said: “There’s nothing in that one. It remains the same with Ruben. He’s likely to move on in the summer. If a Champions League club comes in in the summer and pays the money Wolves want… equally Wolves won’t hold him to ransom to get a ridiculous fee out of it, then he’ll have an opportunity to go.
“It’s if and when that club comes in and makes that kind of offer.
“He obviously wants to go and play Champions League football. At the same time, he’s not a player that is going to force a move away from Wolves or cause problems.
“He’s made his stance very clear. But look at his commitment to Wolves this season. That won’t change if he stay next season, but it’s still likely he goes.”
It has been suggested Wolves will be looking for around £40 million to part ways with Neves this summer.
Wolves’ stance over Ruben Neves is understandable, but the club must ensure they receive a fair fee
It sounds as though Wolves will look to co-operate with Neves this summer.
He has done a heck of a lot for the club since he signed in 2017, and you can understand the club wanting to help him for his show of loyalty.
But the club must ensure they receive a fee that is fair, and not sell for below his true market value.
It felt a strange decision from Wolves at the time when news of the £4.5 million buy option on Conor Coady became public.
Arguably on that one, they let sentiment rule. At the time, Coady’s market value was much higher. But Wolves wanted to repay the loyalty shown by Coady over the years.