Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves heavily hinted that he could move on this summer, admitting that he wants to play Champions League football.
The 26-year-old signed for Wolves from Porto in 2017 and has made over 250 appearances for the club, playing a huge role in turning them into an established side.
Neves has picked up 39 caps for Portugal and can certainly operate at a very high level, which has seen him linked with the likes of , Arsenal and Barcelona.
The midfielder is heading into the final year of his contract at Wolves and it may be that the club choose to cash in on him this summer rather than risk losing him on a free next year, especially as he is openly speaking about being keen to play in the Champions League.
After Wolves’ draw with Everton on Saturday, he said: ‘I want to be here, but I never hide that I want to play football. It’s a hard decision. Me and my family love it here, but in football you have to go for your main goals.
‘Nothing’s happened yet. If it was my last game here I really enjoyed it and I’m very thankful for the last six seasons.’
Although his contract expires in 2024, Wolves are not willing to let their star player leave cheaply, with the reporting that they will ask for £45m from any clubs interested in him.
Barcelona appear to be leading the race for Neves, but a hefty transfer fee could be a problem for the La Liga champions who are still in a perilous financial position.
The Portugal international has not confirmed anything just yet, speaking earlier this month about how tough it would be to leave Wolves.
‘Last season, it’s not a secret for anyone, I was almost leaving the club, and if that happens it will be really hard to take the decision,’ he said.
‘If I go, I will be the number one fan of Wolves, I don’t hide that for anyone, it’s what I feel, I feel at home here and you never know what is going to happen.’
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