Manchester City have drawn constant links with Wolves’ Ruben Neves but Pep Guardiola admits the 22-year-old is currently out of his price range.
The Spanish manager said, “A month ago I started reading ‘Ruben Neves, £100million’. That is not going to happen. We are not going to pay £100million for a holding midfielder.”
“We have a limit and cannot spend more so that’s why we need to be careful with the players and try next season to see what we can do to improve.”
Neves is a key component for the Wanderers, often dictating the team’s attack from midfield and scoring crucial goals. He is almost the perfect long-term replacement of Fernandinho in Guardiola’s system at the Etihad.
However, with him quickly reaching an elite level of performances on the pitch, his price in the current market is expected to be higher than usual. Guardiola’s aware of the player’s talents and further added, “He’s an excellent player. It involves playing with two holding midfielders – not just one – but he’s an excellent player.”
Ajax midfield, Frenkie de Jong has also been linked with the Citizens but Guardiola has refused to comment on the club’s interest. He simply said, “I’m not talking about the case of the Ajax player because he is an Ajax player. I don’t talk about players not here, never did and never will.”
See Also: Pep Guardiola Explains Manchester City’s Reluctance For January Signings
