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Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a move for Ruben Neves as the Portuguese midfielder’s contract ticks down at Wolves.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has claimed that the Reds have spent their entire transfer budget on £43million January signing Cody Gakpo. However, Klopp is a big admirer of Ruben Neves, and with just 18 months left on the 25-year-old’s deal at Molineux, it may suit Wolves and Liverpool to strike an agreement now.
Neves contract situation gives Liverpool perfect chance
The Portugal international has shone in the Premier League and previously had an asking price thought to be around £70million. Still, Wolves will surely be aware that they’re running out of time to offload Neves for decent money if they cannot manage to tie him down to a new contract at Molineux.
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Neves is on a contract that expires in the summer of 2024 and with 18 months left, Liverpool are attempting to get in front of the queue according to the Daily Mirror. There is a window of opportunity to move this month or risk getting into a bidding war with Newcastle who have also been credited with an interest.
Klopp needs reinforcements in central midfield after his team failed to keep pace with the Premier League pacesetters in the first half of the season. Saturday's defeat at Brighton further laid bare their issues.
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Thiago, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner are in their 30s, while 29-year-old Fabinho has been unable to maintain his form. Liverpool added some attacking menace by meeting PSV Eindhoven’s asking price for Gakpo and hijacking Manchester United’s planned move for the Dutch winger, but Neves would bring a creative spark in central areas.
Klopp on potential incomings
Klopp did get snappy at his press conference this week when asked about transfers. Asked if there could be more incomings during his pre-Brighton press conference, Klopp got visibly frustrated. He replied: "I've had 6000 press conferences at Liverpool, I have to tell you again the money story?
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"Why could it be the reason we have money like crazy and we still don't buy players? You know the answer! It's not that we have so much money we don't know what to do with but we think, 'Ah we don't need anyone'.
"It's just not that easy, we cannot sort the problems [in the January window] with injuries. We cannot solve all problems in the transfer market. In a dreamland, you just buy players."
Up next for Liverpool is a crucial tie against Wolves in the FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday night after the first game ended 2-2
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