Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly intensified their interest in signing Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez this summer amid talks surrounding the future of Ruben Neves.
Along with Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United, Barcelona have been linked with interest in signing the Portuguese international midfielder this summer. However, Wolves ’ asking price of €50m (£42.7m) is said to be out of Barcelona’s reach, with the Spanish club’s financial situation not making a move viable for them.
Instead, Barcelona are said to be keen on trying to sign Neves by offloading players in their current squad to Molineux. Reports from Sport (as published by Sport Witness ) claim that while Wolves are not keen on either Riqui Puig, Oscar Mingueza or Martin Braithwaite, they have “intensified interest” in a move for Barcelona midfielder Gonzalez, who they could look to use in part of a deal for Neves.
Wolves are reportedly keen on either signing Gonzalez permanently or on loan and that interest could see the two clubs use him as part of a deal for Neves. Both Neves and Gonzalez have the same agent, Jorge Mendes, which bolsters the chances of a deal being struck.
Gonzalez, who has been at Barcelona since 2013, made his debut for the first-team last year and has since played 37 times in all competitions for the Catalan giants, scoring twice for Xavi’s side in La Liga.
Naturally a central midfielder, Gonzalez has also played as a defensive midfielder, a role similar to that of Neves at Molineux. Gonzalez has played 10 times for his country at youth level - seven times for Spain’s under-17s before earning a call-up to the under-21s squad, where he has won three caps.
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Neves has previously outlined that it would be difficult for him to leave Molineux this summer. The 25-year-old has been with Wolves for the last five years and has had three children whilst living in the area in that time.
The midfielder, who has clocked up 212 appearances for Wolves since 2017, has however stated that should the right opportunity arise for him to exit this summer, it may prove to be good to ignore.
“This club means everything for me, for my family,” Neves told The Athletic last month. "My kids grew up in Wolverhampton; I have three kids, they were all born when I was here. That means a lot to me and the people mean a lot to me because they really helped me to settle here. For me, for my family, everyone is really important.
“If I go it would be really hard for me and my family. But, as I told you, we have dreams to live in a short space of time. And if anything happens, that's why I was so emotional the last game at home because I don't know how it's going to be. If it was my last game it was really important.
“But I don't know anything yet. So, for now, I'm just thinking of my holidays and the national team.”
Neves is currently on international duty with Portugal and won his 28 th international cap during Sunday’s 4-0 win over Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League. Portugal will take on the Czech Republic (June 9) and Switzerland (June 12) before their season comes to an end.
