Paris Saint-Germain enter the race to sign Liverpool target Joao Neves

According to reliable RMC journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Paris Saint-Germain have made Liverpool-linked Benfica star Joao Neves their summer’s priority midfield signing.

Joao Neves, 19, is drawing interest from all across Europe following his eye-catching displays in Benfica colours. Moreover, the defensive midfielder is on Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad, and the list of suitors could only grow should he have a good tournament in Germany.

The Portugal international has been on the radar of Liverpool, as new manager Arne Slot looks to reinforce his midfield unit. Keeping in mind that Joao Neves is a sought-after commodity, Benfica doesn’t intend to let him leave this summer at a discount.

Fabrice Hawkins claims on X that Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has made Neves a top target to bolster his team’s engine room next season. The Ligue 1 giants have spoken with the midfielder’s camp recently but a deal appears complicated due to Benfica’s asking price of more than €100m.

PSG entering the fray and making Neves a priority target is bad news for Liverpool, who themselves are reportedly planning to present their opening offer for the midfielder to Benfica in the next few days.

This makes the signing of the teenage prodigy complicated for the Reds, given the number of high-profile suitors. Also, Benfica slapping an asking price of more than €100m on the player makes it a difficult deal to pull off. Not to forget, the player has a release clause of €120 million in his contract and not many teams across Europe are likely to trigger that.

Liverpool need a young, dynamic and strong defensive midfielder who can walk into Arne Slot’s first XI and make a difference, whilst becoming a long-term replacement for Wataru Endo. Neves fits that profile perfectly, possessing the required ingredients to thrive in the hustle and bustle of Premier League football.

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However, Benfica seem to be adamant that they will not sell their prized asset for anything less than the aforementioned asking price. Considering Neves’ hefty price tag and other positions also in need of strengthening, we must move on to other cheaper alternatives to solve the no.6 problem.