Sources: Liverpool told new Wolves stance on accepting Ruben Neves bid after ‘£100m’ reveal
Wolves have told Liverpool they are not planning to sell Ruben Neves this month in the latest blow to Jurgen Klopp’s plans to sign a top-class midfielder, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseysiders have made an enquiry for the Portugal midfielder as they look to bolster Klopp’s squad with central midfielder who can instantly slot into his malfunctioning team.
But Wolves do not want to lose star man Neves as they fight to escape Premier League relegation.
The Midlands giants will listen to offers for the Portugese midfielder, 25, in the summer when he has just a year left on his contract and his valuation will have further reduced.
It surely means that Liverpool’s hopes of landing Neves by the January transfer cut-off are over, barring a U-turn or a huge bid that Wolves feel they would be unable to reject.
The Merseysiders’ need has certainly increased since the resumption of their campaign after the World Cup, with Klopp already overseeing a changing of the guard in midfield.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have both been left out of the starting XI for the last two matches, with Stefan Bajcetic, 18, and Naby Keita, out of contract in the summer, joining main man Thiago Alcantara in a three-man midfield.
It is a short-term solution for Klopp, who wants a top-class midfielder who can instantly improved his team as their hopes of a top-four finish hang by a thread.
Jorge Mendes client Neves had a “£100million” price tag slapped on him by ex-manager Bruno Lage last April.
Wolves are continuing their own recruitment drive that is expected to see six January signings completed by the club this month.
Neves is proven in the Premier League with 161 appearances in the competition and also supplies goals from midfield, with 19 in the league among his 28 Wolves career goals.
Wolves have already signed attacking midfielder Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid on an initial loan deal as well as central midfielder Mario Lemina from Nice for a fee of around £9.7million.
Football Insider revealed (13 January) the Midlands outfit are in advanced talks to sign Flamengo defensive midfielder Joao Gomes in a £15million deal.
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