Barcelona do not have a single positive scouting report on Laporta’s preferred target

Ruben Neves is a player being strongly studied by Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window when the club are expected to sign a new defensive midfielder.

With Sergio Busquets’ contract expiring at the end of the season, signing a new number six will be paramount for the Catalans.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has strongly recommended the signing of Ruben Neves. The Portuguese international, who currently plies his trade with Wolves, had been one of Barça’s targets for a long time now and could depart Molineux at the end of the season.

But there is confusion inside the Barcelona camp over the pursuit of Neves this summer. This is because the club have not received a single positive scouting report on the player.

Technicians inside the Barcelona camp believe Neves is not the ideal replacement for Busquets and that the midfielder does not have the right qualities to benefit Barça.

Laporta, though, has continued to recommend the former FC Porto starlet, reportedly due to his close relationship with Jorge Mendes.

The Portuguese superagent represents Neves and it appears he has promised Laporta to speed up the negotiation process of Alejandro Balde’s contract extension, if Barça end up signing Neves at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old is rated by many due to his vast experience at the highest level of football. During his spell at Wolves, the midfielder has indeed featured in 236 competitive matches while winning 37 caps for the Portuguese national team.

Neves is also known for his work ethic and aggression in the middle of the park that make him an ideal asset in the second line of press.

But with Xavi, along with the rest of his coaching staff unsure over the player’s technical prowess and ability to gel into the Barcelona setup, it appears the club may keep their other options open.