Could Liverpool land the next Xabi Alonso in Ruben Neves?
Liverpool may have beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, but that won’t bring any sort of dampener on Wolves’ season.
Nuno Espirito Santo has led Wolves into the Europa League just a year after winning promotion from the Championship, and fans will be hoping for more big signings this summer.
That will be the focus for such an ambitious side, but having taken the Premier League by storm, Wolves may also receive major interest in some of their players.
One such player is midfielder Ruben Neves, as the 22-year-old Portugal international hit four goals and three assists in a strong first Premier League season.
His impeccable passing and long-range shooting has attracted plaudits throughout the season, and Liverpool are interested in luring him to Anfield.
Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders recently confirmed the Reds’ interest in Neves to O Jogo, and the Dutchman knows him very well having coached him in the Porto academy.
Now, ex-Reds midfielder Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that Wolves will face a battle to keep Neves, and even compared him to ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
“Ruben Neves is one of the most exciting midfielders in the Premier League,” said Redknapp. “He reminds me of Xabi Alonso and Wolves face a challenge to keep hold of him,” he added.
Alonso joined Liverpool at 22 way back in 2004, and became a hero at Anfield, impressing with some of the attributes Neves exhibits; that long-range passing, the shooting from distance.
It’s easy to see why Neves reminds Redknapp of an early Alonso, and Liverpool fans may well find that comparison intriguing, potentially wanting Neves even more having seen him likened to the Spaniard.
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