"His agent was at lunch with..." - Journalist drops major Wolves verdict on 211-game star

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Bruno Lage could find himself in a ‘predicament’ over Ruben Neves’ Molineux future after failing to qualify for Europe, according to journalist Josh Holland.

A 1-1 draw with already relegated Norwich City means Wolves cannot finish higher than eighth in the Premier League this season, so they will not bag a place in any of the continental competitions on offer.

Spanish sources have claimed Barcelona have moved a step closer towards sealing a deal for Neves as his agent, Jorge Mendes, believes he can negotiate favourable terms for the Catalan giants.

Neves, who has been on Wolves’ books since completing a then-club record move worth £15.8million in 2017, is being seen as a potential long-term replacement for Barcelona defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets.

However, it was previously revealed that the Portuguese would prefer to remain in the Premier League if he were to leave Molineux – amid interest from Manchester United and Arsenal – and his current employers would demand a fee in the region of £70million.

That figure falls some way short of Lage’s valuation of Neves, with the Wolves boss insisting the central midfielder is worth £100million.

Neves is set to enter the final two years of his £50,000-per-week contract in the summer, but his current employers have opened discussions over a new deal as they look to keep him in the West Midlands.

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Holland believes Wolves will struggle to match this season’s performance levels if Neves moves onto pastures new.

The journalist understands Neves’ representatives have already held talks with Barcelona ahead of a potential switch to the Nou Camp.

Holland told GIVEMESPORT: “If