Manchester United and Manchester City have both been linked with moves for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves, but Tottenham Hotspur should also be in the hunt for the Portugal international.

What's the word, then?

City boss Pep Guardiola is believed to be a firm admirer of Neves, and The Sun recently reported that United had joined the race for the talented midfielder.

Neves joined Wolves from Porto in a £15.8m move during the summer of 2017, and starred during their title-winning Championship season.

Indeed, Neves scored six times in 42 appearances in the second tier, and proved that he was miles too good for that level of football.

Neves has had no problem adapting to Premier League football, meanwhile, managing one goal and one assist in his four appearances at the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

Wolves are believed to be standing firm when it comes to the midfielder's future ahead of the January window, but it will be very difficult to keep him on a long-term basis.

Could Tottenham sign him?

Well, it would be difficult for Tottenham to beat City and United to his signature, but the capital outfit should at least attempt to win the race.

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Neves - valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt - has a contract with Wolves until the summer of 2023, but as already mentioned, he will surely move on sooner or later.

Tottenham have been linked with a number of midfielders in recent weeks amid speculation that Mousa Dembele will finally move on at the start of 2019.

Neves would be just about the perfect replacement for Dembele, and would also be a huge update on Eric Dier, who continues to split football fans in general.

Neves deserves to be back in the Champions League, and there is no question that Tottenham should be in the hunt for a player of his ilk.

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