Barcelona push back Ruben Neves pursuit until 2023
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 1 Jul 2022 11:41 BST
- 3 min read
Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves is a Barcelona target, but the Spanish giants have reportedly pushed back their pursuit of the Portuguese international until 2023.
Neves, 25, joined Wolves from FC Porto back in 2017 when the Molineux side were in the Championship.
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The midfielder, who has racked up 30 caps for Portugal, has a contract that runs until 2024 at Wolves, and Barcelona are prepared to hold off their interest until next summer in order to receive a better deal.
It's understood that Wolves have set their asking price for Neves at €82 million (£70m) this summer, which is more than Barcelona are willing to pay.
The Blaugrana have received a huge €207.5 million cash injection after officially selling 10 per cent of the club’s La Liga TV rights for the next 25 years, but they are set on finally confirming the free transfer signings of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie, as well as add Robert Lewandowski.
Their pursuit of the Polish international has seen three bids knocked back by Bayern Munich, but he reportedly remains their number on transfer target.
Neves to Barcelona in 2023
As a result of their financial issues, the club's hunt for Neves has taken a backseat as they work on other targets. The imminent departure of Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United will leave a hole in midfield, but Kessie is arriving and a deal has reportedly been agreed with Valencia for Carlos Soler.
According to Sport, Barcelona will dismiss the idea of signing Neves this summer and instead pursue him in 2023, when he'll only have one year left on his Wolves contract, and hence will be available for a cheaper fee.
Neves had been the number one choice to replace Sergio Busquets this summer as Barcelona look to faze him out, but it now appears as though the veteran will be required to play considerable minutes next campaign before Neves is targeted again next year.
Read more about: UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Premier League, Barcelona, Wolverhampton, Ruben Neves
