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Wolves target Benfica young gun Martim Neto as Neves successor

Wolves have already identified a replacement for midfielder Ruben Neves.

Neves, 25, is stalling on agreeing to a contract extension as he eyes playing European football next season.

Neves is contracted at Wolves until 2024, and manager Bruno Lage has admitted that it will cost the top sides £100m to prize him away from the Midlands.

But The Sun says Wolves are preparing for the worst-case scenario, and are looking at Benfica B starlet Martim Neto to potentially fill Neves' boots.

The 19-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for the Benfica first team after coming through the academy, but is one of the most highly-rated players at the club.

It is believed Neto will soon make his first team debut to increase his transfer fee – which currently stands at around £10m – while his contract also runs out in the summer.

However, incoming Benfica manager Roger Schmidt will have the final say and wants to cast an eye over him in pre-season.

Portugal U19 international Neto has recently changed representatives and is now with super-agent Jorge Mendes, who has ties with several players in the Wolves squad, as well as boss Lage.

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