Liverpool ready to make transfer offer to sign Manchester United midfield target this summer - Reports
Liverpool are making preparations to negotiate with Benfica for 19-year-old midfielder Joao Neves, who is also a target for Manchester United. Both clubs have been linked to the teenager in recent times, but the Reds have reportedly made the first step by getting in contact with Neves.
The report from Paisley Gates (via Football Fancast) has claimed that the central midfielder is now the focal point on the Reds' radar. They are believed to be in conversation with the Portuguese youngster and are making preparations to submit their first offer to Benfica.
However, Joao Neves has a massive release clause of €120 million, which will require Liverpool to open their purse strings to likely spend a bulk of their budget. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (via Football Fancast), a proposal that does not meet this release clause is simply out of the question.
Manchester United's scouts have been keeping their eyes on the 19-year-old, who has played 33 Liga Portugal games and six Champions League games this season. His impressive performances have also seen his stock rise, as he made his debut with Portugal in 2023. Arsenal and Manchester City scouts also have him on their respective radars.
Ex-Manchester United manager full of praise for new Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has praised Liverpool's new manager Arne Slot, who has taken over at Anfield from Jurgen Klopp. A nine-year stint saw Klopp take the Reds to the zenith of European football regularly, but the German tactician has handed the mantle to the Dutch head coach.
While Slot's pedigree is unquestionable, following two trophies in three years with Feyenoord, questions have been raised about his ability to make the step up at Anfield. However, Louis van Gaal believes his fellow Dutchman is more than capable and that the Reds made a 'very good choice'. Van Gaal said to Sky Sports (via Liverpool Echo):
"It's a big job because Jurgen Klopp has done it fantastically, so he as the successor is always more difficult. But he is a good trainer. I think at the moment - with Peter Bosz - the best trainer from the Netherlands. I think Liverpool have made a very good choice."
Jurgen Klopp also expressed belief in Arne Slot to succeed, while revealing that they had a good conversation:
"It was a really good talk. I spoke to pretty much everybody on the new leadership team. He's a really good manager. Arne has my number and he can call me - I don't think it's necessary."
Slot will hope he can continue leading the Reds as impressively as Klopp did across nine seasons.