Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanders this summer, according to a report.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers battles for possession with Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the FA Cup Third Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on January 04, 2020 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers battles for possession with Harry Maguire of Manchester United on January 04, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The Times report that Arsenal have begun work on a deal to sign Ruben Neves from Wolves this summer. The Portugal midfielder’s current club have made Neves available for transfer as they look to raise funds for their new manager’s summer business.

24-year-old Neves had another busy season with Wolves, making 40 appearances, scoring five goals, and assisting two. It was the fourth season in a row that he’s made 40+ appearances for Wolves in all competitions – three of those in the Premier League.

The Portugal international has two years left on his Wolves contract, so it’s very possible his club are willing to sell him this summer. He’d reportedly cost around £34m.

You’d imagine Arsenal would be looking at Neves to fill in after the potential departure of Granit Xhaka. The Wolves man is solid defensively and a good passer, though arguably not an upgrade on what Mikel Arteta already had with Xhaka.

What will worry Arsenal fans, is that Neves isn’t going to come cheap, and he isn’t the creative midfielder the club need to prioritise this summer.

After seemingly missing out on Emi Buendia, fans are a bit restless waiting to find out what the plan is to address last season’s creative problems.

Spending a fairly large amount of money on Neves may not prove to be a bad thing in the long term, given his age, experience, and what he does bring to the team. But right now, it feels like misplaced priorities.