Liverpool handed 'big opportunity' to FINALLY sign Saudi Pro League star

All the talk around Liverpool is now solely focussed on the January transfer window.

The Reds form over the past few months indicates they are in need of some winter reinforcements, and the rumours are flying.

Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are two of the most spoken about targets, but there are of course other players being looked at by Liverpool.

One of the areas that many supporters feel has needed an addition for a while is Arne Slot’s midfield.

At times this season Liverpool have had all their available senior midfielders on the pitch at once, without a single midfielder on the bench, but a new potential January target is now emerging.

Liverpool could look to Saudi Arabia in January

An injury to Wataru Endo and a system change seeing the Reds’ utilise four midfielders rather than three has left Slot’s squad thin in the middle of the park.

One option that Liverpool should definitely consider is Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves, who could be available at a significantly cut price this winter.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Neves is yet to extend his current contract – which ends this summer – and a number of top European clubs are now sizing him up for a January transfer.

A new proposal from the Saudi side has reportedly been ‘on the table for weeks’, but it appears Neves wants to assess his options elsewhere.

Romano didn’t specifically mention Liverpool as an interested party, but Richard Hughes will no doubt be keeping informed on the situation that Romano describes as a 'big opportunity in midfield'.

Should Liverpool move for Neves?

Since his move from Wolves to Saudi Arabia Neves has been a key figure for Al-Hilal, leading them to the Saudi Pro League title last season.

The Portugal international was subject to plenty of interest from across Europe before he made the move, including from Liverpool, but he ultimately opted to try a new challenge instead.

Neves will be 29-years-old before the season is over, slightly older than the age profile of players the Reds’ typically try and recruit, but the signings of Endo and Thiago in recent years have proven Liverpool will move for an older midfielder if they feel it is a good opportunity.

The big issue with signing Neves, even on a reduced transfer fee in January, would be his wage demands.

The former Wolves captain earns a reported £335,000 a week with AL-Hilal, and Liverpool would not be able to match that figure.

Neves was also a close friend of Diogo Jota before his tragic passing last summer, and a chance to play for a club where his late friend is so loved may factor into the 28-year-old's thinking.

If Hughes can get Neves to agree to a reduced wage, then it would make perfect sense to add a player with heaps of Premier League experience to Slot’s squad to provide some much-needed depth in the midfield.

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