Liverpool are looking to raid Premier League returnees Wolves before the start of the next campaign, with the Reds eyeing a summer move for Ruben Neves.
Liverpool’s search for further reinforcements in the midfield department seems to have now led them to Molineux, with the Reds now exploring the prospect of bringing Ruben Neves in during the summer, according to The Sun. The Wolves midfielder is on the radar of the current Champions League semi-finalists as Jurgen Klopp looks to beef up his midfield options.
Ruben Neves’s move to Wolves caught everyone by surprise, with the manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, credited with bringing the player in, along with a few other up-and-coming Portuguese gems. Together with others, Santo has led Wolves to securing promotion to the Premier League while being one point away from confirming their Championship title win.
Ruben Neves has been at the heart of Wolves’ success, with the player doing a brilliant job in defensive midfield, breaking up opposition play while also acting as the anchor to connect the defence and midfield. Not just that, Neves has made a name for himself as a long-shot merchant, with all six of his goals coming from long range in stunning fashion.
With Ruben Neves being linked to us, here’s all of his goals so far this season. All world class goals. pic.twitter.com/B0fg7FGkX8
— Sam (@VintageSalah) April 18, 2018
The 21-year-old, already a full-fledged Portuguese international, is now drawing interest from Liverpool according to journalist Marcus Alves, with Jurgen Klopp looking to add to his options in midfield come summer. Naby Keita is due to arrive but Emre Can’s departure is all but a formality at this stage.
Add to that the apparent need for a holding midfielder within the squad and Liverpool’s interest in Ruben Neves does make sense. The 21-year-old has already proven his pedigree to play from deep in almost identical manner as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, with his long-range skills also a skillset that was evidently one of Gerrard’s traits.
Liverpool might also be able to land Neves in the summer, with the report adding that Wolves are already lining up Anderson Talisca should Ruben Neves end up leaving, meaning that Nuno Espirito Santo could be willing to part with the 21-year-old, should a suitable offer be tabled by the suitor(s).
Liverpool though, are unlikely to have a clear run-in on Neves, with the 21-year-old also linked to Manchester United, while Chelsea were rumoured to be eyeing the player before he ended up at Molineux.
Liverpool were one of the clubs Neves chose to reject in order to move to Wolves. But, Manchester United could hold the advantage, with the player being managed by Jorge Mendes’s firm Gestifute, the same firm that manages Jose Mourinho.
Ruben Neves is set to play in the Premier League next season. But, the prospect of European football could see him move to another club within the nation – Liverpool or otherwise.
