BARCELONA are close to signing Wolves star Ruben Neves, according to reports.
His agent Jorge Mendes is ready to push through a deal that will see the midfielder secure his dream move.
Neves will replace Barca legend Sergio Busquets, who announced he will quit the club at the end of the season.
Xavi reportedly prefers to bring in Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi or Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, but they cannot afford either of them due to ongoing financial troubles.
Neves is a more cost-effective option and his wages will fit in the club's salary cap as they look to balance the books, claim Sport.
Barcelona now await the all-clear from LaLiga after they effectively imposed a transfer ban on them.
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Yet the Catalan giants are believed to have a plan to work around it and still sign players should league chiefs agree.
A number of swap deals are being considered this summer with Mendes proposing that Ansu Fati heads in the other direction and joins Wolves.
The Premier League side are supposedly ready to hand Barca £30million plus Neves for the winger but that offer has not progressed due to Fati wanting to stay at the club.
Neves sees his contract at Molinuex expire at the end of next season.
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He has been at Wolves since 2017 after arriving from Porto and captained them regularly.
The 26-year-old has also been linked with moves to Manchester United and Arsenal.
Meanwhile, the report also suggests that Franck Kessie and Sergino Dest are set to leave Barca and could also be used in a swap deal.
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