Signing a new central midfielder is one of The Gunners’ priorities in the upcoming transfer window, and Arsenal are showing keen interest in the 25-year-old according to a report, by Skysports.
The Gunners are looking to bolster their midfield options and Ruben Neves is one of the players that interests them. Wolves are expected to demand between £50m and £60m for the midfielder, who still has two years left on his contract.
According to Skysports, Bruno Lage suggested that a player like Neves could easily fetch £100m, an amount that broke British transfer records when Manchester City signed Jack Grealish last summer.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also shown considerable interest in the Portuguese international, although United’s transfer plans are on hold considering they have not yet appointed a new manager.
Ruben Neves’ Campaign This Season
The defensive midfielder has scored 4 goals and grabbed 3 assists in a total of 36 appearances, on all fronts, this season. Averaging 2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game, he is an adept player who can shield the backline and also move forward when required.
“What he is doing this season is very good. I think also the way we play, he can show a better Ruben, and also the way he plays puts our team on a different level,” says Bruno Lage, as reported by Skysports.
Should Bruno Lage Cash In On Him This Summer?
SunSport recently reported, that the Wolves are preparing for the worst-case scenario, and are looking at Benfica B starlet Martim Neto to potentially replace Ruben Neves.
Although Wolves’ boss is desperate to keep hold of the midfielder, he thinks improving his salary and amending his contract length would be the best thing to do if they wish to keep him for the next season.
With Ruben Neves just being 25 years old, the best years are still ahead of him and that makes him an essential member of the Wolves squad. Thus, Wolves should look to amend the contract for the Portuguese international rather than cashing in on him.
What Could Ruben Neves Bring To Arsenal?
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, have blended a direct approach of having lengthy spells in possession and prioritised the spaces behind the opposition’s defence. They’ve established a permanent back three, and look to attack from a deeper defensive block, this is where Neves’ skillset could come into play.
The Portuguese international is an absolute engine in the midfield, with a higher work rate, he is comfortable going forward and can shield the backline proficiently when in defence. The midfielder could make a significant difference to The Gunners as he has a knack for putting the ball into the net from outside the penalty box. The Portuguese often goes in to tackle without fear and is adept at passing the ball in possession. As for The Gunners, Mikel Arteta would be very wise to go in for him.
