A year ago
Barcelona winger not ready to join Premier League side next season .
Barcelona's rumored interest in Wolverhampton midfielder Ruben Neves ahead of the summer transfer window has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. The Portuguese international is being touted as a potential replacement for the aging Sergio Busquets, but many argue that there are better options available for a similar price.
Wolverhampton has set a hefty price tag of at least €50 million for Neves and has made it clear that they are not interested in any swap deals. However, there have been murmurs about including Barcelona's young starlet Ansu Fati in the negotiations to reduce the transfer fee. Unfortunately, recent reports suggest that Fati is hesitant about the idea of moving to Wolves. While a fresh start could potentially reignite his career, Fati doesn't see much potential in a club that won't be participating in European competitions next season.
The success of this potential deal hinges on the agreement of all parties involved, and currently, that seems far from certain. Both Wolves and Fati have reservations about the operation, and even within the Barcelona board, there are doubts about Neves' suitability for the team. Fati, in particular, will be pushing to stay at Barcelona for another season and prove himself under the guidance of new coach Xavi Hernandez.
If the deal falls through, Barcelona may consider alternative players like Nico Gonzalez, Sergino Dest, or Ez Abde to be included in a potential swap deal with Wolverhampton. Barcelona's financial situation is tight, and splurging on Neves might be seen as an unreasonable move by many, especially when there are other positions that require reinforcement and can be addressed within the same budget.
Neves, who has made 32 appearances in the Premier League under Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui, has shown decent productivity with six goals and one assist. He also contributes significantly to defensive actions, averaging over ten per game, and provides one key pass per match. However, critics argue that there are more pressing areas of concern for Barcelona, and the same budget could be better utilized to strengthen those positions.
As the summer transfer window approaches, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona will pursue the Neves deal or explore other options. The uncertainty surrounding the potential swap deal with Ansu Fati and the doubts within the Barcelona board complicate the situation. Fans will eagerly await further developments and the final decisions made by all parties involved.
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