Is Ruben Neves Still on Klopp's Radar?

23-year-old Ruben Neves has impressed in England for Wolves since joining from Porto in 2017. The Portuguese youngster is in high demand, and Jurgen Klopp has long been an admirer.

With the Premier League season following the German Bundesliga by restarting behind closed doors, fans have been turning their attention back to transfer rumours, big matches and betting on UK football. And with several other clubs eyeing Neves, is a transfer to Liverpool likely?

Neves has been in inspired form at the Molineux and is one of the first names on the team sheet. He is known for his excellent reading of the game and exceptional passing ability. The youngster isn't a particularly prolific goal-scoring midfielder, but when he hits one, boy does he connect.

He has scored 15 goals for Wolves, the majority of which came from outside the box. Perhaps the most memorable was his volley against Derby in April 2018. That has since been voted as the clubs' goal of the decade. For Reds fans, however, his rocket against rivals Manchester United will stick in mind.

There is no doubt he is a talented player, but does he fit into Klopp's plans? Liverpool aren't in any great need to enlist a midfielder to the ranks with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Georginio Winjaldum filling a similar role to Neves. In saying that, the Reds did look a little bit less solid when Fabinho was out injured and competition for roles is always something that inspires.

Liverpool were first linked with Neves way back at the end of the 2018/19 season, and the rumours have never fully gone away. A team like Liverpool attract a lot of transfer stories, and some carry more weight than others. This one, however, seems legit.

Another Premier League midfielder rumoured to be heading to Anfield is Spurs Tanguy Ndombele. It has been reported that Liverpool have enquired over a possible loan deal for the French international. Ndombele has fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho but like Neves, is a highly-skilled player. The chances of the loan deal might be slim though; Chairman Daniel Levy is well known to drive a hard bargain and will not be keen to let Ndombele go for nothing.

It may come down to other movements in the transfer market. Liverpool's red-hot attackers are attracting attention themselves. African player of the year Sadio Mane has been the subject of a lot of interest from Real Madrid. Despite Klopp stating on many occasions that the frontman is not for sale, Madrid have continued in their pursuit. Zinedine Zidane has made no secret of his desire of bringing Mane to the Bernabeu and in this industry – money often talks. 

If Los Blancos get their way and a transfer goes through, Klopp may need to focus his attention on bringing a forward in. Klopp was clearly interested in bringing Timo Werner - the German goal machine from RB Leipzig - but pulled the plug due to the current uncertain financial climate. Werner's £49m release clause made him all the more appealing but ultimately Klopp decided that now was not the time for an outlay so large.

Would that also rule out a move for Neves? Perhaps. Neves signed for Wolves for what is now a bargain price of £16m and is currently valued in excess of £50m with some speculating as high as £100m. Of course, Liverpool would be able to meet the asking price should Klopp give the green light, and the German has shown he likes to invest in young players.

Much depends on what Klopp regards as his main priority. Should the Reds need to bring in a striker then it would be hard to see Neves making the move North. In saying that, if the price is right, we could see Ruben Neves in the famous red shirt next season.