Neves '99%' likely to stay at Wolves amid Liverpool links, says Lage

Liverpool-linked midfielder Ruben Neves is '99 per cent' likely to stay at Wolves beyond the end of the transfer window, according to head coach Bruno Lage.

Neves, who has become a key figure since joining Wolves in 2017, was reportedly targeted by the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United earlier in the transfer window after entering the final two years of his contract.

Most recently, Liverpool were touted as suitors for the Portugal international after Jurgen Klopp admitted the Reds might need to sign a midfielder to ease their injury crisis.

Neves donned the captaincy at Wolves after Conor Coady was loaned out to Everton, and scored a stunning long-range goal in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Sunday.

The 25-year-old has scored 19 non-penalty goals for Wolves in all competitions, 16 of them outside the penalty area. Since joining the club from Molineux, he has scored four times as many goals off the beaten path as any of his teammates.

With Neves performing despite Wolves failing to win one of their first four Premier League games of the season, Lage is confident of retaining his services.

"Ruben is playing very well, that's why he was so important last season," Lage said. “He started in a good time. He's been amazing since day one here. Now is the time to keep working.

"I'm 99% sure he'll be with us for another year. I can say 100, but you never know with the market.

“He is happy here, he is our captain and I am sure he will be there to play for us. You can see that he is focused on his team and his game.”

Although Neves looks set to stay at Molineux, defender Willy Boly could leave after failing to turn up for the Newcastle game despite being named in the matchday squad.

Boly has been linked with big-spending Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest and Lage has accused him of trying to 'force something' after seeing his side back down late in Sunday's draw .