Will Arsenal turn to Neves after Buendia & Edouard blows?

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 6 Jun 2021 11:40 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal appear to have turned to Ruben Neves after suffering two blows in the transfer market this week.

Wolves midfielder Neves is reportedly being targeted by Arsenal in a £34 million move, with Brighton star Yves Bissouma also still a signing option.

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The Sunday Times report the Gunners have started work on a switch for Neves.

Wolves’ Chinese owners are apparently open to reviewing offers for star trio Neves, Pedro Neto and Adama Traore and could sell if they attract suitably high fees.

It comes as Wolves look to generate funds and revamp their squad in a new era after the departure of manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Wolves recently clarified that talented Portugal midfielder Neves is under contract until 2024, rather than 2023, giving them a key advantage in any negotiations.

He joined the club from Porto in 2017 for just under £16m and, after helping Wolves to win promotion in his first season, has missed only five Premier League games in the last three campaigns.

Strengthening the midfield and finding a reliable partner for Thomas Partey is one of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s transfer priorities this summer.

Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard have returned to Real Madrid after loan spells, with Granit Xhaka, Joe Willock, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira and Mohamed Elneny among the players facing uncertain futures.

Buendia & Edouard blows for Arsenal

The news of a pursuit of Neves comes after Arsenal suffered a huge blow in their hopes of signing Norwich City creative force Emiliano Buendia.

Widespread reports this weekend suggested Aston Villa had successfully outbid Arsenal for the Argentina player.

A club-record fee of £33m, potentially rising to £40m, was enough for Villa to tempt promoted club Norwich to accept the approach after they rejected offers from Arsenal.

The Gunners are also said to have learned that their interest in Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard is likely to be unsuccessful.

Edouard is reportedly closing in on a move to Leicester City and would prefer that move to a switch to London so that he can reunite with former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

After missing out on European football for the first time in 25 years, and with Arteta now 18 months into his tenure, Arsenal are under pressure to appease their fans with a strong transfer market that demonstrates their ambition to return to the top.

Last season they finished eighth, 25 points behind champions Man City.

The Gunners did reach the Europa League semi-finals, only to be eliminated by eventual winners Villarreal and their former coach Unai Emery.