Ruben Neves wants to stay in the Premier League if he leaves Wolves this summer, but they’re set to demand £70m for him.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on March 13, 2022. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND: Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on March 13, 2022. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

The Daily Mail report that Ruben Neves would prefer to stay in the Premier League this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United following the midfielder closely.

Juventus and Barcelona have also shown an interest in Neves, but it looks like the English clubs would have an edge if the decision comes down to Neves himself.

Neves only has two years left on his contract, and he wants to play European football – ideally in the Champions League. But Wolves don’t want to let him leave for less than around £70m.

Even if Arsenal finish in the top four, making them the perfect club for Neves’ preferences, they’d still have to pay heavily to secure his transfer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves reacts after suffering an injury during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on March 18, 2022. (Photo by GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves reacts after suffering an injury during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on March 18, 2022. (Photo by GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester Evening News recently reported that whilst Neves has been recurringly linked with Manchester United in recent years, Arsenal and Barcelona are the only two clubs to register concrete interest in the midfielder.

Wolves reportedly expect to lose the 25-year-old in the summer window, and they’re already considering replacements for him.

Neves’ representatives would welcome an approach from United, but United are working on a possible deal for Kalvin Phillips.

That could leave the door open for Arsenal, if they really are interested. It’s expected that the Gunners will make transfer moves for at least one striker and one midfielder in the summer window, if not more.

Neves is currently sidelined with injury. Before that, he’d made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and assisting two.