‘I will leave’ - Newcastle United target has already given transfer verdict amid Bruno Guimaraes blow

Newcastle United already know Ruben Neves’s stance on a possible transfer amid links with the midfielder. The Magpies have enjoyed a superb season so far, looking like serious top four candidates after continuing their good form with a win over Fulham over the weekend.

Eddie Howe has been given plenty of money to spend over recent times amid the presence of the wealthy Saudi owners, but the Newcastle boss may still feel like he needs a little more. And it seems the holding midfield role is one he would like to strengthen, particularly given the injury issues suffered by Jonjo Shelvey this season, and there is now a fresh concern over Bruno Guimaraes. Wolves star Neves is said to be an option, now in the last 18 months of his contract, but it would still be a pricey deal.

Wolves are trying to fight their way out of the bottom three currently, and they have been active in the January transfer window already. Losing Neves would be a big blow to their survival hopes, making any possible January deal a lot more expensive.

That may not deter Newcastle, though, and Neves has already issued a verdict of sorts on his future, recently telling The Times: “I try to focus 100 per cent on my football and I had a good start to the season but we need results now. If you ask me at the end of last season I would have said to you, ‘I will leave,’ but I’m still here, so we never know what’s going to happen.”

Speaking to The Athletic about players making the most of their careers, he added: “Everyone knows about what football is about, what our lives are about. Our careers are really short, we need to take the opportunities we have. Of course, all of us have dreams and we need to live those dreams in a short space of time. Let's see what happens. I cannot say too much about it."