Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'cannot afford Ruben Neves in January'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 18 January 2023

Liverpool do not have the funds available to make a January offer for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves, according to a report.

Liverpool reportedly do not have the funds available to make a January offer for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves.

The Reds are in the market for midfield reinforcements with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out of contract at the end of the season.

Wolves star Neves is believed to be one of a number of midfield targets on Jurgen Klopp's radar, and one report claims that Liverpool are considering an approach for the 25-year-old.

Neves has established himself as an influential figure at Molineux since arriving from Porto in 2017, contributing with 28 goals and 12 assists in 236 appearances across all competitions.

However, the deep-lying playmaker's future at Wolves has been called into question, with just 18 months remaining on his current contract.

Ruben Neves in action for Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 6, 2022 © Reuters

The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona have all been linked with a move for Neves, but the former appear to have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the midfielder.

According to talkSPORT's Alex Crook, Liverpool are unable to pursue a move for Neves as they spent their entire January budget on forward Cody Gakpo earlier this month.

Gakpo arrived at Anfield from PSV Eindhoven for around £37m, while Neves is believed to be valued in the region of £70m.

Crook believes that Wolves expect Neves to seek pastures new in the near future, but he cannot see Liverpool winning the race for his signature this month.

"Ruben Neves is a player that Wolves have expected to leave for some time. I thought there would be more interest, particularly last summer, than there was." Crook told talkSPORT. "I can understand why Liverpool are admirers of him. I don't think it's going to happen this window.

"I think Jurgen Klopp has said that basically they've spent all their money on Cody Gakpo so again this is one to keep an eye on in the summer but I think this would be a good move not just for Neves but for Liverpool as well.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pictured on December 22, 2022 © Reuters

"He's a really talented player and I'm surprised it's taken this long for one of the so-called big six to come calling."

Liverpool currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, 10 points behind the top four, but Klopp does not believe that the January window is the 'right moment' to strengthen his squad.

"Is this the right moment to strengthen? I can't see it," Klopp told reporters on Monday. "We look outside as well. It is not that we are stubborn [in the transfer market]; that is not how we see it.

"It is about what you can do. Each year is the same. If the solutions were out there, doable and available, of course we would buy players. We have an existing squad and it is underperforming but I cannot blame everyone else.

"If you bring in new players they can't all be on the Premier League list. They can't all be on the Champions League list. I have to take responsibility. That is my first concern. We have players, they are just not available."

As well as Neves, Liverpool have been linked with fellow Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes, Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat and Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo.