Liverpool plan on late January swoop for Barcelona midfield target playing in PL

Liverpool plan on late January swoop for Wolves’ captain Ruben Neves

25-year-old Portuguese international Ruben Neves is a name that often stands linked with a move to Liverpool. Amid interest from other clubs including Barcelona, Manchester United and Newcastle United as well, the player could move to the Reds in case the offer for the player proves to be good enough.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers captain has enough Premier League experience on his back and could prove a good fit for the Merseysiders given the transitioning midfield they have on board already. With Jordan Henderson and James Milner almost at the twilight of their careers, it is crucial for the management to make moves for a midfielder in the transfer window.

Moreover, the contracts of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita expire in less than six months from now, and the club needs to think beyond them as well. With Fabinho also not at his usual best, it is certain that the Reds need a midfield makeover sooner than later.

The Mirror claims that the Reds plan to acquire the former FC Porto midfielder before the end of the mid-season transfer window in January, which is supported by a report from Football Insider.

Could Neves move to Merseyside?

Neves is capable of playing any midfield role in Jurgen Klopp’s ideal 4-3-3 formation. Although primarily a defensive midfielder, Neves has goal contributions with a number of them coming from central midfield areas as well.

28 goals and 12 assists in 236 appearances for the Wolves as a defensive midfielder certainly speaks a lot about his attacking output. Defensively as well, the player is extremely rigid as we saw in the FA Cup games against Julen Lopetegui’s side.

Signing a player of his calibre and potential could potentially be a positive move for Liverpool as they look to improve their form and have a better chance in their pursuit of a top-four finish in the league securing a UEFA Champions League spot.

However, as we saw earlier this summer, Neves’ interest to move to Barcelona could mean that the Reds miss out on getting him on board in the summer, and that is why, perhaps they are planning a bid this window.

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Barcelona, Manchester United and the likes can be tough competitors, but Neves will know which team out of them needs a world-class midfielder urgently. There is a void he can fill and a place he can make his own in our midfield if he does wish to join us.