Liverpool identify Benfica ace as priority signing amid £100m+ clause update
Liverpool are “expected to come forward” in the next few days with a proposal for Benfica ace Joao Neves, according to CM Jornal.
The Portuguese outlet claims that the only way Benfica will sell Neves is if his reported release clause of £101.1m (€120m) is met by a potential buyer.
Although Liverpool are “well documented” about the midfielder, they are not the only club in the running for his transfer.
Do Liverpool need Joao Neves?
Benfica have made many massive transfer fees from the players within their squad.
The most notable of those are Darwin Nunez and Enzo Fernandez. The pair sold for a combined total of £170.2m.
Both players still ply their trade in the Premier League with the latter of the two finishing second in Liverpool’s top scorers chart this season.
Despite this, it’s evident that the Reds need some reinforcements across their entire squad if they wish to compete for both the Premier League and the Champions League.
However, two areas within the squad are significantly lacking in quality compared to other areas of the team.
Those positions are central-defensive-midfield and centre-back. Thanks to the departure of Joel Matip, Liverpool now only have three natural centre-backs within their ranks.
Additionally, their central-defensive midfielder spot also leaves a lot to be desired.
Granted, the Anfield club has the likes of Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic and Tyler Morton ready to fulfil that role.
But Endo is 31, while on the other side of the spectrum, Morton and Bajcetic aren’t yet likely ready to become first-team players week in and week out.
Hence, the need for reinforcements this summer. Although Neves would be an ideal signing, there are likely much better ways for Arne Slot to spend his budget this summer.
In other Liverpool news, Bayern Munich are interested in signing one Reds star this summer.
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