Liverpool are more likely to sign £60m Premier League midfielder than Benfica’s Joao Neves

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Liverpool fans are still trying to work out exactly where their club’s priorities lie in the summer transfer market.

The Reds are still yet to do any business since the end of the season despite a plethora of links to potential targets.

Initially, it had been expected that Liverpool would prioritise a new centre-back. However, while links to Leny Yoro remain relatively active, it has gone a little quiet on that front.

It has also been suggested the Liverpool would look to sign a forward player, but nothing has yet materialised in that respect either.

Many supporters would also like to see Liverpool try and bring in an elite defensive midfielder. Unexpectedly, that could be the way the wind is now blowing.

Liverpool interested in Joao Gomes

Liverpool have needed a new, top defensive midfielder ever since Fabinho left last summer. The Reds tried to sign Moises Caicedo with no luck and instead settled for Wataru Endo.

Endo has been a good signing for Liverpool but at 31 he is not the long-term answer that Arne Slot needs.

As a result, the Reds have tentatively been said to be plotting a move for an overdue Fabinho replacement this summer. Ederson of Atalanta has been strongly linked as has Benfica midfielder Joao Neves.

Although Neves looks like a top prospect, journalist Ben Jacobs has suggested that Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes is potentially a more get-able target for Liverpool.

READ MORE: All confirmed incomings, outgoings, loans and releases for Liverpool ahead of 2024/25

“Joao Neves, I think PSG rather than Liverpool are the ones to watch there,” Jacobs says during a Q&A with fans on Playback.

“PSG are prepared to pay a minimum of 80 million Euros, maybe even go a little bit higher. Benfica though are saying they want the release clause paid in full and that’s 120 million Euros.

“You also should keep an eye on Joao Gomes,” Jacobs adds.

“Liverpool like him as well but the issue there is that Wolves are under no obligation to sell, he’s not been at Wolves for long.”

A tale of two Joao’s

Although Neves is probably the more high profile of the two Joao’s, we’d actually agree that Gomes is the one more suited to Liverpool.

As good a player as Neves is – and will likely become – we’d argue that he’s potentially a little on the small side to act as the lynchpin of Liverpool’s midfield.

The 19-year-old is tenacious, but he’s more in the passing mould for a No.6. Slot already has Alexis Mac Allister to fill in and do that.

Instead, we’d argue that Liverpool are lacking the young, hungry ‘destroyer’ type that Fabinho was when he arrived in 2018.

At 23, Gomes could offer that. Already a Brazil international, it has been reported that Wolves want £60m for Gomes. While that is not cheap, it could end up solving a lot of problems for Liverpool.