The Barca deal to bring Ruben Neves in to replace Sergio Busquets

Rúben Neves' move to Barça is getting closer. The Portuguese player made a great farewell in his last game with Wolverhampton at home, making it clear that he was not going to continue at the end of the season. He did not say for sure where he would be going, but the player is very clear that it will be Barça. He has already reached an agreement for four seasons with the Blaugrana while waiting to see how the operation is carried out.

The name of Neves has not generated consensus in the sports area at the club. While the sporting area and the board see him as a club signing, the coaching staff have tried to prioritise other alternatives. Last summer he was already close to coming and there was a commitment that the operation would be carried out now as long as it was financially favourable. And the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, has succeeded in that.

Barça will not pay a single euro for Ruben Neves and everything will be done through a player exchange. In principle, Mendes had designed the operation with Ansu Fati as a counterweight. Wolves would pay 30 million euros plus Neves for the Blaugrana youth player, but everything is pending that Ansu gives the OK for his departure, something he has not done so far. There is going to be a lot of pressure for this transfer to happen before 30 June because it could be very beneficial for all parties.

In the event that Ansu does not give the OK, Mendes plans to use other players in exchange. Wolverhampton are keen on Abde, who will leave Barça once his loan spell at Osasuna is over, and Sergiño Dest could also be on the cards. In any case, both the people close to Ruben Neves and Barça are very clear that this is going to go ahead.

The Portuguese player can play as a defensive midfielder or interior midfielder and at the end of his match against Everton he was very clear: "Next year I would like to play in the Champions League". He has done everything he can to make it happen, renouncing more important offers because his only wish is to play for Barça.