Liverpool emerge as main contenders to stop Chelsea from making Enzo Fernandez-esque deal

Race for Joao Neves: Liverpool ahead of Chelsea in transfer tussle

Manchester United and Chelsea are eyeing a move for Benfica midfielder Joao Neves as the summer transfer window approaches. However, new contenders have emerged, ensuring that both Premier League giants face competition for the 19-year-old midfield sensation.

Reports in the Portuguese media (h/t The Sun)suggest that Benfica is considering raising the 19-year-old’s release clause to £129 million. This proposed figure would surpass the amount Chelsea paid Benfica for Enzo Fernandez’s services (£105 million) last year by a significant margin.

Both Chelsea and Manchester United are enduring challenging seasons in the Premier League and are in need of reinforcements in midfield. However, their struggles may continue into the summer, as Liverpool reportedly enters the race for Neves, making the competition for their primary target even fiercer.

The Portuguese publication O Jogo has claimed that Liverpool have now become strong favorites to sign the Benfica player. 

Klopp oversaw a significant overhaul of his midfield last summer with the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch, a move that has propelled Liverpool back into contention for the title.

As Klopp prepares to bid farewell to Anfield after a long and successful tenure, Liverpool officials are gearing up for life without him. While they have yet to identify a replacement manager, they are already considering potential reinforcements for the squad under new leadership.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea are expected to make substantial offers for Neves, with reports suggesting that Manchester United has allocated £86 million to initiate the bidding process.

Do Chelsea need Neves?

Since making his professional debut for Benfica in December 2022, Neves has become a key player for Roger Schmidt’s team. This season, the 19-year-old midfielder has made 47 appearances for the Portuguese giants, starting 42 of them. So far, he has scored three goals and provided two assists.

For Chelsea, integrating Neves into the squad could pose challenges, given the existing competition in midfield. The club may need to offload some players before considering another significant expenditure. While pairing Neves with Enzo could offer potential benefits, Chelsea must also consider the financial implications, especially concerning Caciedo and Lavia. Additionally, the club may have other positions to address as a priority heading into the summer transfer window.

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Alongside the Premier League trio, Bayern Munich and PSG have also expressed interest in Neves’s services. It will be intriguing to see how Todd Boehly & Co. navigate this transfer saga.