Barcelona in CIVIL WAR over Ruben Neves transfer

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 12 May 2023 17:26 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona face a major internal battle over the summer transfer of Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, Mundo Deportivo reports.

The Catalan side are seeking financially efficient ways to upgrade their squad this summer, with cuts expected to be made across the board.

One area that is being targeted for a new signing, though, is the midfield, which has at least one spot to fill given that Sergio Busquets will not be renewing his contract with the club.

MORE: The five players Barcelona could sign to replace Busquets

Neves has been one player who has been persistently linked to the Camp Nou side on and off for months. Reports have varied over how significantly Barcelona are interested in the 26-year-old Portugal international, and now Mundo has revealed why the LaLiga champions in waiting have been so hot and cold over the player.

There has been an internal struggle over the former Porto star behind the scenes at Camp Nou.

MORE: Man Utd target midfielder 'crazy' about Barcelona move, says Fabrizio Romano

Ruben Neves causing friction at Barcelona

It is reported that while the club and agent Jorge Mendes have an agreement in place to bring the player, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €43.7 million to the club, there are influential figures at Barca fighting against his arrival.

Among those who have been left cool on the midfielder is head coach Xavi, while director of football Mateu Alemany and sporting director Jordi Cruyff are also unimpressed by any deal.

Barcelona, of course, are in a position where they must be shrewd about the signings they make this summer because every penny needs to be closely monitored.

The ultimate goal for the summer is the return of Lionel Messi to Camp Nou, but such are the cuts that must be made, the Catalans will have to be extremely smart for the Argentina star to return – and that means making transfers that everyone at the club is behind.