Liverpool have been linked with Benfica midfielder Joao Neves.
It’s that time of the summer when new names are persistently being linked with Liverpool. The rumour mill is in overdrive and it’s set to continue that way. There will be some players who are indeed on the Reds’ shopping list. Others will be wide of the mark.
What we can expect is for Arne Slot to add to his squad. There will likely be at least one addition – perhaps several.
Someone who reportedly is on Liverpool’s radar is Joao Neves. According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness) the Reds are keen on the Benfica midfielder. It is claimed that Liverpool want to bolster their options in the engine room and plan to lodge a bid ‘in the coming days’.
Neves enjoyed a fine 2023-24 season for the Eagles. Operating primarily as a defensive midfielder, he made a total of 55 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and laying on three assists as Benfica finished second to Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese table.
Aged just 19, he has been included in Portugal’s squad for the European Championships. But it is reported that Benfica would only prepare to allow Neves, also linked with Manchester City and Manchester United, to leave if his reported €120 million release clause is met.
The teenager may be somewhat of an unknown quantity to Kopites. Yet he is highly rated by his club – and a current member of the Anfield dressing room. Diogo Jota is hoping that he can achieve glory with Portugal at the Euros in Germany. And speaking to GOAL ahead of the tournament, the Reds forward was asked to name one young player to look out for.
Jota replied: “Joao Neves. He has the quality and the mindset to go really far.”
Will Liverpool sign Neves?
Liverpool would have to smash their transfer record if they were to meet Neves’ release clause supposedly installed in his Benfica contract. The Reds paid £75 million for Virgil van Dijk in 2018 while the fee they splashed out for Darwin Nunez from Benfica two years ago could reach £85 million.
Liverpool did prove last summer they were willing to break records, having offered £111 million for Moises Caicedo but he opted to join Chelsea from Brighton.
The only current senior defensive midfielder in the Reds’ squad is Wataru Endo, who arrived last summer from Stuttgart. But aged 31, a long-term successor is required. Liverpool do have Stefan Bajcetic, 19, in their set-up. The Spaniard enjoyed a breakthrough 2022-23 campaign when he made 19 appearances yet missed the majority of 2023-24 because of injury.
Alexis Mac Allister operated in the No.6 position for the Reds at times last season but underlined he is more effective in an advanced role.
