Liverpool have identified Portuguese defensive midfielder Joao Neves, who is also on Manchester United’s radar, as a priority target for the summer.
According to Correio da Manha via Sport Witness, Liverpool are looking to reinforce their midfield ahead of next season. They want to ensure they have enough firepower in their squad to help Arne Slot succeed and have made Portuguese sensation Joao Neves their priority target. He is also a target for Manchester United
Neves has come up the rank at Benfica. He has been a part of their first team since the winter of 2023 and has not looked back since. On the back of his impressive rise at the club, he has also managed to break into the national team and is currently preparing for the Euro 2024 which will get underway on June 14.
The teenage defensive midfielder has been a consistent performer for both club and country, and his work has not gone unnoticed. While his contract at Benfica runs until the summer of 2028, clubs will try and prise him away in the summer.
Liverpool to push hard for Joao Neves
Liverpool are one of the clubs keen on having him in their squad. The Reds underwent a major overhaul in the centre of the park last summer. While those signings have done wonders for them, they failed to bring in a defensive midfielder who can help them in the long run and have decided to make it happen this time around.
Joao Neves has been on their radar for quite some time now. They feel the 19-year-old could be an ideal fit for the club after scouting him for months and gathering information from his national teammate Diogo Jota. The Reds have made him their priority target heading into the summer, and they feel he could be a huge boost for Slot’s squad.
While the Merseyside club have identified him as a priority target and are planning to put forward a bid in the coming days, they are not going to find it easy to sign him. Benfica are not willing to negotiate his departure for anything less than his release clause, which is a massive €120 million.
With Manchester United also in the mix, Liverpool do have a few major hurdles to go past before signing their priority target. The Red Devils are plotting a major overhaul under new-part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and the teenage sensation’s name is quite high on their wishlist.
