JORGE MENDES is getting desperate in his attempts to offload Ruben Neves.
Midfielder Neves, 26, is keen to depart Wolves this summer with aspirations of playing in the Champions League next season.
Wolves are also believed to be interested in cashing in on the Portuguese international with his current contract expiring in June 2024.
Barcelona appeared a likely destination, however Mendes’ ambitious plan to execute a switch between Neves and Catalan star Ansu Fati – another of his clients – has hit stumbling blocks.
Despite being unwanted at Barca by boss Xavi, Fati, 20, has no interest in swapping Spain for the Midlands.
Barca are not in a financial position to fork out an estimated £25m to bring Neves to the Nou Camp without the option of a player exchange.
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Tensions between Fati and Mendes are at breaking point, while Neves is also getting frustrated that his future is no closer to being resolved.
SunSport understands that Mendes is using Barca’s weak interest in Neves to ramp up attention from previous potential suitors Arsenal and Newcastle.
The Premier League duo at one point had considered a move for Neves, but have since moved on to other targets.
The Gunners are hoping to complete a £90m plus add-ons deal for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, while Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is also up for grabs.
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The Toon are not expected to spend big this window, with Neves understood not to be a part of Eddie Howe’s plans to add quality to the squad.
SunSport have also been told that Neves would not favour a big-money leap to Saudi Arabia, still wanting to prove himself amongst Europe’s elite in his peak years.
Neves joined Wolves in 2017 under former coach Nuno Espirito Santo – now a manager in Saudi – making over 250 appearances since.
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