Report claims Wolves want at least £40m for Neves amid Arsenal interest

Last month, it was reported that Wolves would be open to selling Ruben Neves for £35 million this summer.

But the Telegraph now claim that the bidding will start at £40 million for the Portuguese international.

They report that Arsenal are very keen on Neves in light of Granit Xhaka’s impending departure to join Roma.

And a bid from the Emirates Stadium is apparently expected before the end of the week.

Wolves are apparently open to a sale this summer to raise funds to allow Bruno Lage to reshape the squad.

But if Neves did leave, it would be a major loss. He has been integral to Wolves’ rise to the Premier League.

He’s one of the leaders of the group and is a talented playmaker with his best years ahead of him.

Wolves aren’t in Europe this season but neither are Arsenal. So would Neves want to go?

When Neves’ £35 million tag was reported, we wrote that Diogo Jota’s exit fee needed to be the benchmark really.

Wolves have bridged that gap to halfway between £35 million reported and the £45 million they’ll get for Jota with add-ons included.

It will be a tough summer financially across the league and if Neves really has to go to allow Lage to strengthen, then so be it.

But it feels like a risk and £40 million still feels a bit low given what Neves has done for the club and how much he could still offer.