Premier League midfielder ‘one step away’ from €30 million Barcelona transfer – report | OneFootball

In a major development, Portuguese publication A Bola (via AS) is reporting that Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves is just one step away from completing a transfer to Barcelona in the summer.

Neves has been at Wolves for six years and has established himself as one of the most reliable midfielders in the Premier League. But he is poised to leave the Premier League club imminently.

The Portuguese international has been heavily linked with a move to Barça since last year. While a move did not materialise back then, it seems like Neves will be getting his dream transfer this time out.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been a big advocate for the move thanks to his close relationship with Neves’ agent Jorge Mendes.

Even though manager Xavi Hernandez and the technical staff have expressed strong doubts about his ability to perform as a pivot midfielder, it seems like Laporta’s wishes will weigh out those of the manager and the Portuguese ace will arrive at the club.

Previous reports have already suggested that Neves has a verbal agreement over personal terms with the La Liga champions.

Now, the aforementioned report is stating that there is a total agreement between Barcelona and Wolves over the transfer of Neves in a deal worth €30 million.

Previously there had been talks about Ansu Fati entering the operation in a potential player-plus-cash deal, but the forward, who is also a client of Mendes, does not wish to leave Barça for Wolves.

As such, it is being reported that Neves will be joining the La Liga champions in a standalone deal worth €30 million, which would be quite economical for the club considering their financial situation.

However, considering that Xavi and his staff do not see the Portuguese ace as a pivot midfielder, the club could go after another player to replace exit-bound captain Sergio Busquets.

Meanwhile, Neves could be used as an interior midfielder at the expense of Franck Kessie, who is likely to be sold this summer.