“Barcelona eye Ruben Neves as Sergio Busquets replacement”

Sergio Busquets will leave FC Barcelona in the summer after 18 years. That has been clear since this week. The search for a successor to the midfield icon is in full swing and could end with the signing of Rúben Neves. As reported by ‘Sport’, Barça have long since agreed a four-year contract with the 26-year-old from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The agreement has been in place for almost three months.

However, one catch remains. According to ‘Sport’, Barcelona are not financially able to pay a transfer fee and can only complete the planned Neves deal if he leaves for a free transfer. To make this possible, Barça is aiming for a swap deal.

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Swap deal planned

Actually, the Blaugrana’s plan was to send Ansu Fati to Wolverhampton in return. According to the report, the 20-year-old has no interest in moving to the English Midlands, even though Barça are putting pressure on the home-grown player.

However, the Neves deal did not fail. According to ‘Sport’, right-back Sergiño Dest (22), currently on loan to AC Milan until the end of the season, as well as left-back Abde Ezzalzouli (21), currently on loan to CA Osasuna, and FC Valencia are in talks for a swap deal loaned central midfielder Nico González (21).

Top performers of the Wolves

Neves moved from FC Porto to Wolves in 2017 for around 18 million euros. Since then, the right footer has made 250 appearances for the English side. In the current season, the 26-year-old has made 41 appearances in all competitions and is one of the permanent staff under coach Julen Lopetegui (56). The central midfielder is under contract with the Wolves until 2024.