According to Portuguese publication O Jogo, Liverpool have joined the race to sign Benfica midfielder Joao Neves in the summer. The Premier League believe the youngster can turn into an elite midfielder in the upcoming years.
Joao Neves is a star in making
Joao Neves is one of the most exciting talents to come out of Benfica Academy in recent years. He made his senior team debut on the first day of 2023. Since then, he has been making good progress and has emerged as a quality pick for the side.
Neves played a crucial role for Benfica this term, where he featured in 54 games. He scored three and provided two assists in the process. He averaged 2.4 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, and 1 dribble per game (stats via whoscored).
The Portuguese is better known for his defensive contributions in the middle of the park. With excellent positioning, tackling, ball interceptions, and blocks, he provides an extra layer of protection. He distributes the ball well and also marks his aerial presence.
Will Liverpool break the bank?
The pursuit of Joao Neves could actually be a good deal for Liverpool. The player has already shown that he has all the qualities to take onto the field for a top-tier side. He is likely to keep improving his game with more game time and coaching.
Keeping that in mind, the 19-year-old could be a long-term investment for the club. The Reds suffered due to a lack of a defensive midfielder last season and with the departure of Thiago Alcantara, they need to sign a new midfielder anyway.
The only problem is that the talented youngster is valued at €100 million. The deal involves a massive fee and Liverpool will have to make a decision on that. It will be interesting to see if the management will take the risk and break the bank to acquire the player or not.
