Arsenal ‘are still in talks over a £35million move for Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves’.
Neves’ agent Jorge Mendes has been in contact with Arsenal’s technical director Edu over a potential move but the price tag remains a stumbling block.
Portugal international Neves, 24, has two years remaining on his Wolves contract but the Molineux club are prepared to sell in order to raise funds for other targets this summer.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will need a midfielder if Granit Xhaka leaves and Neves has been identified as one potential player who could partner Thomas Partey.
The Sun report that Mendes has been in regular communication with Edu to try and push the deal through.
There is also interest in Neves from north London rivals Tottenham, who have just appointed former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo, but Arsenal is the preferred destination.
It is shaping up into a busy summer for the Gunners as Mikel Arteta looks to improve on last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League.
Left-back Nuno Tavares, signed from Benfica for £7m, became their first confirmed signing last week.
A deal for Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga worth around £15m is also close to completion.
Other targets include the Brighton defender Ben White, Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Leicester’s James Maddison. Arsenal could recoup around £15m for Xhaka, who is very likely to leave after a turbulent couple of years.
Neves signed for Wolves for £15.8m in the summer of 2017 when they were still a Championship club. He has scored 20 goals in 176 matches, helping them become an established top-flight side.
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