Barcelona repeat trusted trick with Neves as De Jong's future remains unclear

Robin Bairner

• 26 Oct 2022 12:59 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have repeated one of their favourite transfer tricks with Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves amidst fresh rumours that Frenkie de Jong could be on his way out of the club.

De Jong’s future at Camp Nou has been the subject of much speculation in recent months owing to Manchester United’s interest and his refusal to back down in contract renegotiations.

Although head coach Xavi has publicly praised the Netherlands international midfielder and is set to play with four midfielders in Wednesday’s crunch Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich just to accommodate the player, doubts remain over his long-term future.

MORE: Could De Jong's new position give him hope of a Barcelona stay?

Meanwhile, Barca are also faced with the reality that Sergio Busquets is now past his best and Sport reports that Neves is now their “number one target” to arrive.

Joan Laporta has confirmed that Barca’s likely Champions League exit combined with their defeat in El Clasico means that moves planned for summer 2023 could take place in January, and that could mean hurrying through a deal for the Portugal international.

MORE: The price Man Utd would pay for Frenkie de Jong in January

Neves agreement in place

Barcelona, though, have already laid the groundwork in a move that is reminiscent of how they conducted their summer transfer business. It is stated that a salary agreement is in place with Jorge Mendes and a fee agreement is secured with Wolves.

This is how they conducted much of their summer business.

First, they would get buy in from the player by agreeing terms and conditions, and only when the circumstances were right would they launch an official approach. By that stage, the player was often pushing to move to Camp Nou.

It was a ploy that worked time and time again in the summer as they completed a transfer window that was far better than most neutrals felt was possible given the difficult financial circumstances that faced Laporta’s club.

Now, if Barcelona wish to land Neves, they will have to strengthen their bank balance again – and that is where De Jong could come in. A sale to Manchester United reportedly remains possible, while the Netherlands international is liable to have other suitors.

Sport even suggests that if De Jong and Nico Gonzalez both leave, Neves could be bypassed entirely and a move for Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva could be resuscitated. It seems that despite their financial issues, anything remains possible at Barcelona.