Liverpool get big hint Premier League midfielder will be on the move as club ramps up replacement hunt
Liverpool will be keeping a watchful eye on Wolves and the situation of one midfielder in particular after Julen Lopetegui’s side reportedly began the bidding for his potential replacement.
Liverpool are tracking several Premier League midfielders as they look to solve Jurgen Klopp’s recent problems in the position. Brighton star Moises Caicedo is thought to be on their radar.
According to a recent report from Football Insider, Caicedo is ‘definitely interested’ in moving to Anfield if such an opportunity arises.
However, Liverpool will have to battle an English rival to sign the Seagulls man. That is because Newcastle also hold an interest in landing him. And they have enough financial power to seriously trouble any Liverpool approach.
Leicester ace Youri Tielemans is another potential signing for Liverpool. He has been heavily linked with Arsenal, but Gunners sporting director Edu has been left shocked by his massive wage demands.
If Liverpool are willing to pay Tielemans what he wants, then it seems the signing is theirs.
Should moves for Caicedo and Tielemans fall through, then Klopp could look to Molineux to bolster his midfield ranks. The Liverpool boss is a long-term admirer of Ruben Neves and his new Wolves team-mate Matheus Nunes.
And there is a chance Liverpool could move for Neves during the January transfer window. According to French source Media Foot, Wolves have made a ‘concrete approach’ to sign a former Prem midfielder, who could arrive in the West Midlands as Neves’ replacement.
Wolves submit bid for former Prem player amid Liverpool chase
The man in question is Nice’s Mario Lemina, who has previously represented the likes of Juventus, Southampton and Fulham.
Wolves are willing to spend up to €10million (£8.8m) to sign Lemina this month. They do not want to go much higher than this as the 29-year-old’s Nice contract expires in summer 2024. This puts the French club in a weak negotiating position as Wolves could simply wait until Lemina is a free agent if they have to.
Liverpool will be keeping tabs on the situation. Should Lemina join Wolves this month, then this may give Liverpool the green light to try and snare Neves.
He would be a great signing to improve their midfield. Neves has been one of Wolves’ most influential players since joining in 2017. He helped Wanderers return to the Prem and then manage consecutive seventh-placed finishes in the top flight.
Ruben Neves would likely shine at Liverpool
Wolves may be struggling at the moment, but Neves is their captain and is still proving his class. Another benefit to Liverpool signing the Portuguese is his long-range efforts – he pops up with some brilliant goals from outside the box every season.
Lemina arriving at Wolves would slightly soften Lopetegui’s opinion on Neves leaving. And Wolves chiefs may have to accept a sale in the near future, as Neves’ contract – like Lemina’s – runs out in June 2024.
Despite these factors, Wolves would still demand decent money when letting their star man go. Reports claim Liverpool will have to bid £60m to capture Neves.
But this transfer could definitely be worth it. Liverpool appear to have have fallen behind Arsenal and Manchester City, and their lacklustre midfield is a big reason for that.
Neves would bring energy, authority and goals to the Liverpool midfield. And due to him leading Wolves, he might succeed from Jordan Henderson as Liverpool skipper in the future.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Arsenal are heavily interested in a prolific Ligue 1 attacker, according to reports.
