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Wolves prepare for life without Man Utd transfer target Ruben Neves after eyeing Martim Neto as replacement
WOLVES are close to finding a replacement for midfielder Ruben Neves.
SunSport recently reported that the Portuguese international could be plucked by Manchester United this summer if Erik ten Hag is appointed manager.
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Arsenal and Barcelona are also interested, with Neves, 25, stalling on agreeing to a contract extension as he eyes playing European football next season.
Neves is contracted at Wolves until 2024, and manager Bruno Lage has admitted that it will cost the top sides £100m to prize him away from the Midlands.
But SunSport now understands that Wolves are preparing for the worst-case scenario, and are looking at Benfica B starlet Martim Neto to potentially fill Neves’ boots.
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The 19-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for the Benfica first team after coming through the academy, but is one of the most highly-rated players at the club.
It is believed Neto will soon make his first team debut to increase his transfer fee – which currently stands at around £10m – while his contract also runs out in the summer.
However, incoming Benfica manager Roger Schmidt will have the final say and wants to cast an eye over him in pre-season.
Portugal U19 international Neto has recently changed representatives and is now with super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has ties with several players in the Wolves squad, as well as boss Lage.
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