‘Exactly what Liverpool need:’ Man Utd face competition for Prem-proven ace as Klopp eyes Bellingham alternatives
Liverpool are looking to sign a new midfielder and they could reportedly land Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Ruben Neves on a ‘cheaper fee’ this summer.
It’s no secret that Jurgen Klopp is looking to bolster his squad ahead of next season and the Portugal international could be a smart addition for the Reds.
However, Wolves are not yet resigned to losing Neves, with the club pushing hard to tie him down to a new contract. His current deal, however, is set to expire in June 2024.
According to transfer expert Pete O’Rourke, Liverpool are expected to be ‘in the mix’ for the 26-year-old if he does become available.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke said: “There’s one year left on his contract, so they might be able to land Neves on a cheaper fee than you would normally have to pay for a player of his calibre.
“He’s proved at Wolves that he can handle it in the Premier League and that’s what Liverpool want right now for next season.
“They want somebody to come in and hit the ground running in their midfield and help get the team back on track.”
Liverpool could rival Man Utd for Neves
Indeed, with the likes of James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago all past their prime, there is a clear need for Liverpool to bring in a new centre-mid.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are also set to leave Anfield at the end of the current campaign, so the Reds will have to replace them, too.
Jude Bellingham is thought to be Liverpool’s top target this summer, but with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City all in the race for the €150m (approx. £132.4m) rated star, they may find it difficult to finalise a deal.
With that in mind, Neves could represent a much cheaper option, with some reports suggesting that he could be available for just £15m if Wolves fail to tie him down to a new deal.
However, the Reds are not the only Premier League team interested in signing Neves, with bitter rivals Manchester United also linked with him.
As noted by O’Rourke, Neves has consistently proven that he can perform in the Premier League and looks ready for a new challenge.
Since making the switch to Molineux in 2017, the midfielder has made 246 appearances across all competitions for Wolves, scoring 29 goals and making 12 assists in the process.
Neves has also made a name for himself as someone who loves to score screamers against big teams, something that Klopp would no doubt love to have at his disposal next season.
