Done dealLiverpool has signed   Premier League star and club are ‘set to accept’ £80m proposal

According to reports, Liverpool and FC Barcelona are among the clubs in the race to sign Ruben Neves from Wolves this summer.

Neves has consistently been one of Wolves’ best players while they have been in the Premier League over the past five seasons.

The West Midlands outfit pulled off a major coup to sign Neves from Porto for around £15m while they were in the Premier League.

It is only a matter of time before he secures himself a move to one of the biggest clubs in Europe. He is out of contract in 2024 so Wolves may look to cash in while they have the chance this summer.

Neves recently admitted that he “wants to play Champions League football”.

“I want to be here, but I never hide that I want to play Champions League football. It’s a hard decision. Me and my family love it here, but in football, you have to go for your main goal,” Neves admitted.

“Nothing’s happened yet. If it was my last game here I really enjoyed it and I’m very thankful for the last six seasons.”

Earlier this month, he added: “Last season, it’s not a secret for anyone, I was almost leaving the club, and if that happens it will be really hard to take the decision.

“If I go, I will be the number one fan of Wolves, I don’t hide that for anyone, it’s what I feel, I feel at home here and you never know what is going to happen.”

Liverpool are in the market for two or three midfielders and Football Insider are reporting that they have ‘made their move’ for Neves, who is ‘set’ to be sold for £50m.

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The Portugal international has ‘made up his mind to quit’ Wolves this summer and Liverpool have ‘asked to be kept informed about developments in the race’ for his services. The report adds.

‘Liverpool continue to have a strong interest in Neves after a January enquiry was knocked back by Wolves as they didn’t want to sell mid-season.

‘However, the Midlands club are likely to cash in on their captain in the coming window if their £50million asking price is met.

‘Spanish reports have suggested that Neves already has a verbal agreement with Barcelona – but Liverpool will nonetheless continue to keep tabs on his situation.

‘Neves is represented by Gestifute, the agency of influential super agent Jorge Mendes – who also represents current Liverpool stars Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Fabinho.

‘He has just over 12 months left to run on his Wolves contract – meaning they run the risk of letting him leave the club for free if a deal is not agreed this summer.’

READ MORE: Transfer gossip… Chelsea to seal signing of £52m Liverpool target next week; Serie A star ‘will go’ to Man Utd

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Klopp makes offer to £52m Barcelona star with Liverpool announcement ‘imminent’ as ‘nothing can …

Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to pursue a deal for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde as he looks to reinforce his defence, according to reports.

The Reds are looking to address a number of positions this season as they hope to improve their squad in the summer transfer window.

Midfield is expected to be the main priority with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner leaving Anfield at the end of the season.

However, centre-back is one area Liverpool are also keen to look to improve on and Barcelona centre-back Kounde is now reportedly on their radar.

Spanish publication Nacional claims that Kounde has ‘formally requested his request to change scenery’ at Barcelona after only a year at the Camp Nou.

Numerous Premier League clubs were chasing the France international before he made the switch from Sevilla to fellow La Liga outfit Barca last summer.

And there have been other reports that Man Utd and Liverpool are now back in for Kounde with Nacional insisting he is ‘not motivated by the project’ and ‘feels cheated’ after being promised that he would play as a centre-back.

Instead, Kounde has been used predominantly as a right-back in Xavi’s side and the Frenchman has now ‘he has chosen to pack his bags’ and move to another club.

Kounde has ‘received an offer’ from Liverpool with Klopp promising to play him in his preferred position and make him a ‘star’ at Anfield.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta will ‘only negotiate proposals that exceed’ €60m (£52m) as he looks to recoup the full fee the Catalan giants paid Sevilla for Kounde 12 months ago.

Whether he stays or goes is far from straightforward though, with the Barcelona centre-back dismissing reports that he wants out of the club.

Kounde said on Twitter this week: “To make it clear, at no time did I ask to leave, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Recruitment at Liverpool should become clearer in the next few weeks with Jorg Schmadtke’s arrival at Anfield as sporting director now ‘imminent’, according to Sky Sports Germany.

Liverpool hope to have the German in place next week with the report insisting that ‘nothing can go wrong’ ahead of confirmation of his arrival on Merseyside.

Schmadtke ‘will be in charge of close consultation’ with Liverpool boss Klopp with the Premier League club ‘facing an extensive squad change’.

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