Transfer News: Rival manager admits Liverpool target could leave next summer

Bruno Lage admits Ruben Neves could leave amidst Liverpool interest

According to Team Talk (h/t Liverpool Echo), Wolves manager Bruno Lage has conceded that star midfielder Ruben Neves could be pried away by a big club.

The Portuguese midfielder has been sensational for Lage’s team this season and is consistently linked with a move away from Molineaux. He has arguably been the fulcrum of the Wolves midfield for some time now and his talent has not gone unnoticed.

Capable of playing in a defensive or central midfield role, Neves is comfortable operating as either the single pivot or as a part of a midfield two. He has a venomous long-range strike that almost always threatens the keeper.

Despite mainly playing in a defensive role, the 25-year-old has managed to chip in with 4 goals and 2 assists in 31 matches for Lage’s men. He is undoubtedly a unique midfield like his manager admits, someone who can defend, sweep, attack and score goals.

Neves’ contract is expiring in 2024 and Lage admits that despite Wolves making him a proposal, it would not be surprising if a big team tries to pry Neves away from Molineaux.

“For sure, he will receive a proposal from us. You never know what can happen. There could be a big team with a big offer. It’s very hard to find a player like him”

Never say never?

Despite the Reds having a plethora of options in midfield, it is still their weakest suite in comparison to attack and defence and adding a player of Neves’ quality will always be a welcome addition.

The Portuguese international could be a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who left the club for PSG last season. The Dutch international was one of the most consistent players for Klopp but the Reds did not replace him with anyone else in the summer.

At 25, Neves comes at the perfect age for the Reds without a doubt and his enormous potential is obvious. Jurgen Klopp could manage to get the best out of the Portuguese and make him one of the best in the world.

Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliot have been revelations in the Reds’ midfield this season and could be involved in the set up for a very long time. However, the latter’s future seems to lie further up the pitch and not in midfield.

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Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita are undoubtedly quality players but have had their fair share of injuries this season. To add to that, James Milner and Jordan Henderson aren’t getting younger.

Signing a player of Neves’ quality makes perfect sense for the Reds as he could be the future of Klopp’s midfield and beyond.