Arsenal have begun work on a deal to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves this summer.
Ruben Neves, 24, is one of three high-profile names – along with Pedro Neto and Adama Traore – who will be allowed to leave Wolves this summer after an underwhelming 13th place finish last season under former boss Nuno Espirito Santo. The Black County outfit, having mutually parted ways with Nuno, will be looking to retune their squad under potential manager Bruno Lage.
Coming back to Ruben Neves, the Portuguese international has played for Wolves since joining from FC Porto in the summer of 2017. He helped the Wanderers earn a promotion from the Championship in his first season, scoring six goals from central midfield.
The 24-year-old, currently one of the most exciting midfielders in the Premier League, has made 176 appearances in all formats for the Midlands outfit, scoring 20 goals in the process. Wolves’ willingness to sell Neves this summer is certain to alert top European clubs.
Arsenal are admirers of Neves and it is understood that they have made contact with Wolves over a possible transfer for the midfielder.
The Gunners have a massive job to do in the transfer market after a very poor 2020/21 campaign. An eighth-placed finish means they will not be playing in Europe next season. Mikel Arteta will be under a lot of pressure to deliver success next season. The Spaniard will aim to shake up his squad and in order to do that, some players will have to leave.
Arsenal may have to reinforce their midfield options this summer
A few Arsenal players are edging closer to the Emirates Stadium exit, as Arteta looks to rebuild his squad.
The likes of Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira are all expected to leave the north London side this summer. Xhaka, a key part of Arteta’s team during 2020/21, has attracted interest from AS Roma of late.
Torreira and Guendouzi both went out on loan last season to Atletico Madrid and Hertha Berlin respectively. It is believed that the midfield duo will be sold ahead of the new campaign. That will leave Arsenal light in the central midfield department, with Dani Ceballos having returned to Real Madrid following the end of his loan spell.
There is also a chance of Joe Willock leaving the Emirates Stadium after impressing on loan at Newcastle United, while Egyptian international Mohamed Elneny enters the final year of his contract.
Ruben Neves could be a terrific signing for the Gunners
Thus, it will be wise on Arteta’s part to offload a couple of his central midfield players and replace them with younger, hungrier talents. Ruben Neves has been linked with Arsenal and he would represent a top option.
Neves has proved to be a fantastic signing for Wolves. The Portuguese international has bags of Premier League experience which could largely benefit an Arsenal side looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2020/21 campaign. Truly, his style of play would perfectly complement the tough-tackling Thomas Partey in Arteta’s midfield.
At 24, there is still room for Neves to improve further. Thus, it would be smart for Arsenal to move quickly, as there will be stiff competition for the Wolves star when the transfer window opens next week.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
