Wolverhampton Wanderers ‘would love’ star midfielder Ruben Neves to stay at the club this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 25-year-old had been widely expected to depart Molineux before September’s deadline following five successful seasons at the club, but a formal offer is yet to arrive for his services.

What is the latest news involving Neves?

Back in April, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that Wolves were lining up moves for Matheus Nunes and Joao Palhinha as they planned for life without Neves and Joao Moutinho.

The Midlands outfit lost out to Fulham in the race for Palhinha’s signature, but they have just completed a deal for Nunes following protracted negotiations with Sporting CP.

However, Moutinho ended up penning a new one-year deal at the club, while Neves has failed to attract any solid interest despite being linked to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona.

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Wolves manager Bruno Lage recently admitted that the club are ‘doing everything’ they can to keep hold of the Portugal international, who has two years remaining on his £58,000-per-week contract.

“We are working on it,” Lage said when asked about Neves’ contract offer. “In the last game it was so clear to me what the fans were singing, to keep Ruben, and we are doing everything in our hands to keep Ruben and start the season with him.”

What has Jones said about Neves?

It’s been a quiet window for Wolves so far, but things are beginning to improve for them with the acquisition of Goncalo Guedes and the recent arrival of Nunes.

And Jones has informed GiveMeSport that Lage’s charges will make Neves ‘an offer’ but that he ‘hasn’t show much willingness’ to commit his future to the club.

In an interview with GMS, he said: “Wolves would love him to stay, and they will make him an offer, but Neves, to this point anyway, hasn't shown much willingness to actually extend his stay.”

How big a loss would Neves be?

Neves has played a pivotal part in one of the most successful periods in Wolves’ recent history, registering 24 goals and 12 assists in 214 appearances.

Since arriving from FC Porto back in 2017, the technician has helped Wolves claim the Championship title, secure consecutive seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League, and reach the FA Cup semi-finals and the Europa League quarter-finals.

Losing Neves, therefore, would be a bitter blow to Lage’s hopes of making progress on the pitch, and he will surely be hoping his compatriot signs a new deal rather than seek pastures new.