Liverpool ahead of Barcelona in race to sign Ruben Neves

Liverpool are reportedly ahead of Barcelona in the race to land a potential summer transfer deal for Ruben Neves. 

The Merseyside club have been linked with the Wolves star previously as they have been urged by the likes of Jamie Carragher to refresh their midfield during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Now though, some behind-the-scenes details have emerged regarding the race to secure the Portugal international’s signature.

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Liverpool and their Premier League rivals Manchester United, are leading Barcelona in the chase for Neves this summer.

The report also adds that Barca’s financial situation could be a hurdle for them to possibly sign the Wolves midfielder this summer, potentially allowing Liverpool or United to make a move.

Having joined the Midlands club back in the 2017 summer transfer window, the 26-year-old has gone on to make 245 appearances across all competitions, scoring 29 goals and supplying 12 assists along the way.

This season has seen the midfielder score five goals across his 27 Premier League appearances, making him the joint-top goalscorer at Wolves.

In addition to that, Neves also has the highest average of shots per game (2) at the club as well as the highest average of tackles per game (2.4) out of players that have started more than one league game and the highest average of interceptions per game (1.5) out of players currently at Wolves.

Previously hailed as “sensational” by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, Neves certainly has the talent and experience to be a useful signing for Liverpool this summer.

Moving forward, should the Reds see the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who are all out of contract this summer, wave goodbye to Anfield, we feel that the Wolves figure would be an ideal signing for the club to make as a potential replacement for either of those players.