Paul Merson has told SportsKeeda that Arsenal should sign Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer.
The 25-year-old has been a prominent figure in the Wolves squad in recent years. He has made 26 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Midlands club this campaign.
Earlier this week, reports revealed that Neves had told the club that he intends to leave this summer, with Arsenal being the frontrunners to secure his services.
Merson believes that his former club should sign the midfielder as he would be a perfect addition to the squad. He also thinks Wolves would struggle to keep him beyond this season. While speaking to SportsKeeda, the Highbury icon said:
“If I was Arsenal, I’d be going after Ruben Neves. Manchester United are going to be after him as well. I’m not sure how Wolves are going to keep him at the club, to be honest.”
However, negotiating a transfer fee with Wolves could be a Herculean task. According to DailyMail, the club have slapped a hefty £100m price tag on the Portugal international.
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The 25-year-old is a Premier League-proven player who will undoubtedly bolster Mikel Arteta’s midfield options. He provides the perfect cover for the backline and is also capable of producing some intricate passes from the midfield.
In the absence of Granit Xhaka or Thomas Partey, the north Londoners have failed to dominate the middle of the pitch. Although Mohamed Elneny has done a decent job in filling the midfield void, he is not a long-term solution.
However, £100m is a very unrealistic valuation for the midfielder. Wolves will have an upper hand in negotiations as his current contract does not expire for another two years. The Gunners need to assess other options before they engage in talks with their counterparts.
Meanwhile, Arsenal take on London-rivals West Ham United on Sunday at the London Stadium. This game is another pivotal clash in their pursuit of Champions League football next season. A positive result against the Hammers would extend their lead over Tottenham Hotspur and solidify their top-four spot in the PL table.
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