Arsenal are reportedly interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers midfield ace Ruben Neves.
As per a report from Sky, the Gunners are looking at Ruben Neves as one of their potential targets for next summer. The idea is to create a long-term association among Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, and Ruben Neves.
The source understands that Wolves are likely to demand around £50-60 million for their Portuguese star. Neves, 25, has netted four times this season and has assisted on two occasions. With Granit Xhaka’s future at the Emirates running in unclear waters, Neves has emerged as a serious option for Mikel Arteta.
The catch, however, is that the former Premier League champions will face competition from Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur. In fact, Manchester United have also been linked with the 25-year-old. But, with the Red Devils yet to decide on their new manager, their transfer plans are not set. Not yet anyway.
Wolves manager Bruno Lage has insisted that Neves could fetch as much as Jack Grealish did, last summer. The former Aston Villa skipper was bought by Manchester City for a record £100 million fee, last summer.
Tottenham’s interest in Neves is probably not as concrete as Arsenal’s, having signed Bentancur in the recently concluded winter window.
Is Neves the player that Arteta needs in his midfield?
It is fair to say that we now have an idea about the kind of football that Arteta wants from his team. The former Manchester City assistant manager has taken cues from Pep Guardiola and is employing the Spanish brand of football. Of course, it is combined with physicality as well.
Neves is a physical midfielder, no doubt. But, will he fit in Arteta’s system? That question is highly treacherous. There is no doubt about the player’s quality as well but Arsenal like to keep the ball, pretty much always. Or, at least they try to.
We have seen that Arsenal like to play in close spaces with their midfielder playing high up on the pitch. Neves, under Lage, is enjoying this season. His defensive actions have come up high on the pitch and he is contributing offensively as well. That said, he has also attempted more dribbles than last season, already, and he is taking a lot more touches on the ball. This is much like Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets who is said to be one of the best, if not the best, defensive midfielders of all times.
If Arsenal do go for Neves, it would be wise to employ a system wherein there are two pivots. This would help Neves incorporate better, into the system. But to answer the earlier question, Neves under Bruno Lage has shown that he can play in close spaces, and higher up the pitch. His profile is perhaps what Arteta needs at the moment.
Also, one should never underestimate the importance of a calm presence in the midfield. The 25-year-old’s composure is one of his best attributes as well.
Do you think Arsenal should sign Ruben Neves?
