Barcelona feel Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves has one foot out of the door and are optimistic about their chance of signing him at the end of the season.
Neves, 25, has spent the past six seasons with Wolves after arriving during their last season in the Championship (2017-18), racking up over 200 appearances for the club along with 28 goals.
The central midfielder, a regular for Portugal, has caught the eye of Europe’s elite clubs.
Wolves had been hopeful of extending Neves’ stay at the club, but with their future in the Premier League in doubt, they might have already started to plan for life without him.
TOP STORY – WOLVES SIGNING INDICATES LOOMING NEVES DEPARTURE
According to Sport, Barcelona believe Wolves are signing 21-year-old Flamengo midfielder Joao Gomes as a direct replacement for Neves, who they expect to leave at the end of the season.
The report states Barcelona know what it will cost to pry him away from the Premier League and are comfortable with the price, which is said to be “much more feasible” than the €60million price tag for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
Real Madrid are also expected to pursue Neves, who they reportedly feel has “the potential to become the new Casemiro”.
ROUND-UP
– The Telegraph and Fabrizio Romano state Chelsea will make another run at signing 22-year-old Benfica and Argentina standout Enzo Fernandez, and are willing to meet the £105m (€120m) release clause if they can pay it in installments.
– According to Bild, Tottenham have submitted a £22m (€25m) verbal offer to Bayer Leverkusen for 21-year-old Ecuador centre-back Piero Hincapie.
– Newcastle United have had their latest £20m offer for 18-year-old Flamengo midfielder Matheus Franca turned down, per Fabrizio Romano.
– Newcastle are also said to be looking to replace Jonjo Shelvey, who is set to join Nottingham Forest, with Sheffield United’s Sander Berge.
– The Daily Mail is reporting Brighton and Hove Albion have rejected a £70m approach from Arsenal for 21-year-old midfielder Moises Caicedo, and are holding out for £80m.
– According to Sport, there is mutual interest between Barca and Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, who will spend the rest of the season on loan at Chelsea.