Rumour Reel: Liverpool look at Ruben Neves, Brazilian right back too rich for Man Utd?
Published:
Coral’s Rumour Reel
It may be getting cold outside but, as the winter transfer window looms, tabloids are warming up, with plenty of Premier League gossip doing the rounds this Saturday morning.
The papers have a Portuguese prodigy centre stage, with reports of Porto midfield plotter Ruben Neves to Liverpool. While, will Jose Mourinho’s Brazilian right back target miss out on a Man Utd move? Find out below…
Portugal schemer Ruben Neves to Liverpool?
Rumour has it Portugal and Porto teenage talent Neves is on Liverpool’s radar, with contact reportedly made over poaching the deep playmaker from his boyhood club.
Already capped for his country at senior level, the 19-year-old has been tipped as a future captain, thanks to mature performances in midfield beyond his years.
With almost 80 senior appearances for the Dragons in all competitions, Neves has apparently captured the attention of Jurgen Klopp – with the German known for his fondness of midfield orchestrators, having had both silky skilled Ilkay Gundogan and Nuri Sahin on his books at Borussia Dortmund.
Neves supposedly has a €40m release clause, which could cause the Reds to baulk, while they may also face competition from Chelsea and Juventus – with both sides also seeking an extra spark in midfield.
Man Utd right back blow?
As Man Utd’s right back quest continues, it appears the Red Devils have suffered a set-back in their apparent pursuit of Monaco defender Fabinho.
The Old Trafford club should be used to paying full price when it comes to Monaco, having forked out an eye-watering fee for Anthony Martial in 2015. Yet, full back Fabinho’s reported asking price of €40m may even be too rich for Mourinho and co.
This may mean the Premier League giants wait until summer to launch a raid on the Ligue 1 club, though the futures of back-up right back Matteo Darmian and benched wingman Memphis Depay could hold some sway.
Seemingly unwanted Italy defender Darmian is sought after, having barely been given a chance to overcome his poor form, with Barcelona the latest to be linked to the 26-year-old. Though Inter Milan remain the favourites to return him to his homeland with a rumoured loan and option to buy for £12.6m.
While, out-of-favour Dutch winger Memphis Depay is reportedly unhappy at his lack of game time and could seek a January switch to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg after struggling to make Man Utd’s first XI. The 22-year-old has scored just seven goals in his 50 outings in all competitions since arriving at Old Trafford in summer 2015.
If both fringe players are offloaded, previous reports have suggested they could be used to fund a move for versatile defensive talent Fabinho. Watch this space…
Related
You’ll find more football gossip in previous editions of the Rumour Reel.
Reckon Ruben Neves to Liverpool has legs? Or think Man Utd don’t need a new right back? Let us know in the comments section below.
