WOLVES STAY HUNGRY TO KEEP NEVES

BRUNO LAGE says he can hang on to Ruben Neves – as long as Wolves can “create a big team”.

The 24-year-old midfielder’s future comes under the spotlight in every transfer window – and this one will be no different.

The former Porto ace remains on the wish list of many Champions League clubs. In an interview in his native Portugal this week, Neves admitted how much he missed playing in the competition – although he also revealed how he had grown to love Wolverhampton.

And his manager believes that if the club can continue to challenge for the upper reaches of the Premier League, the midfielder will stay put.

Lage said: “Ruben feels this is his second home – and happiness comes with that. That’s good but it’s another thing to convince him to stay. It’s not about a contract or money. It’s about creating a big team that fights for different things. That’s the most important thing for these guys.

“Ruben is in that place where he needs a different challenge. And we also want a different challenge for the club. We want to create a team that fights for different positions – even for titles.”

Lage says that Neves (right) can improve by studying others – such as compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, who he will face at Old Trafford tomorrow. He added: “We want to push younger guys, like Ruben, to the next level. Players such as Ronaldo have big experience. When you play with these guys you learn.

“Guys like Cristiano and Joao Moutinho, now in their 30s, have enjoyed the careers they have because of big mentalities.

“You see how they work and work out what you need to do to arrive at that level.”