Arsenal is preparing to make a move for Ruben Neves and they have now been told the minimum fee he will cost them.
The Gunners are in the market for midfield reinforcements and have just seen Aston Villa beat them to the signature of Emi Buendia.
They also risk losing Granit Xhaka, who is the subject of repeated interest from AS Roma.
The Italian side might have their way in getting his signature if they can meet Arsenal’s asking price for the midfielder.
Arsenal has now identified Neves as a player who could join them before the start of next season.
The 24-year-old has been at Wolves for the last few seasons and has been a key part of their impressive stint in the Premier League.
They have fired Nuno Espirito Santo and that decision could see them lose some of their current players.
The Telegraph says Wolves are bracing themselves for offers for their players while they search for a new manager.
The report further states that Arsenal wants Neves and Wolves have set an asking price of £40 million for the Portuguese signature.
That fee is quite big for him considering the financial times we’re in, but Arsenal will try to negotiate it down and the earlier they get it sorted, the better.
I would not pay even £15 mil for this nothing out of the ordinary player and I do not see AFC paying anywhere near the reported £40mill. Nor should we pay it!
Thank you for saving me the burden.
This is what epitomises an average player.
Can’t even nail down a starting spot for Wolves.
If we dont get Bissouma, we should not get anyone, he should be our only midfield target. Pay for the best, not second best. This is reminding me when wenger borked at kante and got xhaka, we have been paying for that decision ever since!
Agree Reggie; Yve Bissouma should be Arsenal’s number one priority to partner Thomas Partey.
Then look at Matheus Pereira from relegated West Bromwich Albion, a star in a poor side.
Am I the only one whose apprehensive of signing a lot of African players for the first team?
I’ve got nothing against African players, but missing 1 month of football every 2 years (because of the cup of nation’s) is a bit of a blow for any club. Right?
A significant chunk on the first team is anyhow going to be away in January. Auba, Pepe, Partey (plus Elneny). If we end up buying Bissouma and Mazrouai, 5 out of 11 first team would miss a month of football.
👍
Hey, that can’t be a reason for not signing them, sometimes a player can get injured for a whole season or months. Missing 2 to 3 week of action in two years time cannot be a reason. We have to be rational in our reasons.
Reggie and ozzie. Bissouma is quality but I don’t think we will sign him, because we would lose him, partey, elneny in January to African nations Cup leaving maybe just willock (if he stays) in midfield. Xhaka, guendouzi, torreria ainsley look like they are leaving the club so we need atleast 2 midfielders. Neves would be a good replacement for xhaka and lokonga(anderlecht captain, 21 years old, good defensive skills and passing and apparently Henry has recommended him to the club) as an alternative to bissouma would be shrewd imo,Then maybe get perriera as the for No.10 and we are good to go.
Yes, agree with all about losing African players but losing some players is just par for the course. Its a small price to pay, i think.
03 Gooner, the Aftican Cup of Nations is a consideration; however I am more interested about what players bring to the team, the bulk of the time they are available to play. I agree that balance is important, which is why I have suggested Matheus Pereira (Brazil) and Ruben Neves (Portugal) because they are EPL proven (I am sure others can come up with others), where players like Fekir and Aouer are not.
It is well accepted today that to be successful a Club needs at least two players for every position. If the first choice is African, then it is important that a backup player is available. These absenses can be covered by the use of players of other nationality, such as Joe Willock, Callum Chambers, Grant Xhaka (if he stays)(or his replacement say Neves) or opportunities provided for Academy players.
It may also eventuate that club pressure may lead the African Federation to reschedule or face top players putting club before country.
Bissouma is better
Navas has the quality AFC needs in their midfield and i hope AFC finalize a deal!
If Afc should not make an offer for yves then let forget about getting any midfielder
For crying out loud,, WE SHOULD ACT LIKE A BIG CLUB!!!
If it’s holding midfielders Arsenal should be looking at midfielders in the mould of
– Calhanoglu (Milan)
– Sergej Milinkovic Savic (Lazio)
– Bissouma (Brighton)
– Ibrahima Diallo (Southampton)
– Nicolo Barela (Inter)
Not these average midfielders to push us further into oblivion
Just for the case of replacing one below average player (XHAKA) with another!!!!
It may take along time to replace xhaka
Look what getting average players has done to us…
The likes of
– Gabriel Magalhaes
– Saliba
– Guendouzi
– Torreira
You can’t even recoup any reasonable money if you sell them.
When exceptional players were around and suggested;;;
– Ben White
– Brandt
– Sandro Tonali etc
Uninspiring signing, unproven claim..must be another AFC transfer window.;)))
Ruben Neves is a good player, but not worth £40 million. There is better value out there and Bissouma should be the priority.
That’s it
Over-priced. Should not be more than 23 million.
Seems to be a very similar player to Xhaka except he runs around a bit more. Definitely overpriced at £40 million!
Over priced. £40m? To me, no Bisso let’s forget Xhaka’s replacement this window.
For god sake Arsenal, Bissouma wants to come, get it done now and other top players may then recognise the club as making genuine efforts to improve which might in turn may encourage them to join as well.
It’s not frickin rocket science!!!
No to Neves.Yes please to Bissouma or Lokonga of Anderlecht who is a terrific young player.
What’s the fuss about African players leaving for a month for The AFCON? Does it mean we can’t have backups?
For crying out loud Liverpool have No Salah, Saido Mane & Nabi Keita who are Africans & key players form them but won’t panic as they have Shaqiri & Jota to cover up for them while they are away. So does it mean Liverpool did not consider the AFCON tournament before sanctioning their purchases?
Some fans here make me sick truly. Have you considered injuries sometimes can make key players like Partey, Auba & even the proposed Bissouma out for more than one month of play??? C’mon guys let’s look at the positives of having quality players & value for the money the club will spend, we need the right players to boost the squad & Yves Bissouma is definitely one of them to partner Thomas Partey.
Matheus Pereira is a very good quality option at AM with an eye for that killer-pass(creativity), aggressive on & off the ball, good with freekicks, can score goals, EPL proven & will be relatively cheap @£15m – £25m max.
LETS BE POSITIVE!
Cant see Neves happening, especially now Lage has become Wolves manager.
@Declan
There are better options out there with lesser amount required to get them.
So it’s a NO for me… too expensive!
No to Neves but yes to Bissouma