FC Barcelona Coach Xavi Agrees To Sign Ruben Neves

FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has agreed to the club signing Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves – but only on one condition according to Gerard Romero.

Romero is a leading voice when it comes to Barca’s activity in the transfer market and was behind several exclusives pertaining to the purchases of Raphinha and Jules Kounde last summer.

In the latest session on his popular Twitch channel in Tuesday morning in Spain, Romero reported that Xavi has had a change of heart and is now open to landing Neves.

The Portugal international is represented by president Joan Laporta’s close associate in super agent Jorge Mendes.

Because of having Laporta’s ear and overseeing the careers of several Barca stars including Ansu Fati, Alejandro Balde and Nico Gonzalez, Mendes has considerable sway at Camp Nou.

The Athletic reports this week that Laporta and several senior figures at Barca have a long-standing interest in Neves and tried to sign him last summer.

Xavi, however, is not convinced, and sees Martin Zubimendi – who dropped a masterclass in Barca’s 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad – as a more fitting replacement for outgoing captain Sergio Busquets who will leave at the end of the season.

Romero also reports on Tuesday that Barca spoke with Real Sociedad about Zubimendi following the defeat where the youngster provided the assist for the winning goal.

La Real are also reportedly interested in Blaugrana players such as Ez Abde, Pablo Torre and Mendes’ client Nico Gonzalez who could help bring Zubimendi’s reported €60 million ($66 million) release clause down if such a development were possible.

As The Athletic points out, though, Mendes might possibly be able to convince Wolves to accept €45 million ($49 million) for Neves from Barca, who could then sell Fati for around €75 million ($79 million) making deals for both Neves and Zubimendi possible.

Neves could then leave Zubimendi to partner Frenkie de Jong in Busquets’ old pivot role, and move into more advanced role often played by Franck Kessie this season.

This then ties into what Romero has reported – in that Xavi is now happy to accept Neves to his La Liga-winning first team squad but only if Kessie is sold in the upcoming transfer window.