Liverpool are much more likely to sign Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes than Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic.
The Reds have been linked with both players as they look to upgrade their midfield this summer. Admittedly, the links to Kovacic have been more spurious, with Nunes a much heavier favourite to make the move to Anfield.
Speaking to TeamTalk today, journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed as much.
“I don’t think there’s too much in the Kovacic links at this point,” said Jacobs. “Liverpool will have other preferences and priorities.
“But the other thing about Kovacic, even if Liverpool did choose to explore that, and there’s nothing significant at this stage, I think you’d be looking more of a player like Wolves’ Mateus Nunes as seriously on their radar.”
Kovacic not high on Liverpool’s priorities
Kovacic has never felt like a serious option for Liverpool this summer. The Croatian is getting on a little compared to other targets and perhaps wouldn’t be a popular signing.
Having said that, he still has plenty to offer. He’ll be twenty-nine by the time the summer window rolls around – hardly an old timer. Irrespective of age, Kovacic’s importance to Chelsea is still very clear. As a ball-winner and a ball-carrier, there aren’t many better in the Premier League.
As a result, he probably would add something to Liverpool’s midfield right now. A four-time Champions League winner with 91 caps for Croatia, he’s as experienced as they come. It wouldn’t be a surprise if – as reported – Liverpool really do want Kovacic.
The former Real Madrid man has been hailed as ‘incredible’ by another reported Reds transfer target – Declan Rice. Rice even went as far as naming Kovacic as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
With the Reds otherwise chasing younger players, maybe it would be an idea to add a slightly older head in there, too? His contract entering its last year at Stamford Bridge might see him available at a decent price, too.
But as many positives as there could be, we just can’t see this happening. As Jacobs points out, Liverpool have other targets featuring much more prominently on their list. Linked with a move for months now, Nunes is surely one of them.