The manager of a player Liverpool are said to be interested in has hinted his club would be open for business if a ‘huge bid’ comes in.
Last week, GIVEMESPORT reported that the Reds have contacted Wolverhampton striker Pedro Neto’s agent to discuss a possible move to Anfield, with Arne Slot reportedly ‘seriously considering’ a £60m bid for the Portugal international.
Gold owner Gary O’Neill expressed confidence in the 24-year-old striker’s continued presence at Molineux in an appearance on the E&S Wolves podcast, but admitted the club would not stand in the way if he wanted to leave.
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The 41-year-old said: “I know how good he is and how good he can be at a big club. Of course, I want our team to be incredibly successful, so I want him to stay.”
Asked whether he thought Neto would remain at Wolverines, O’Neill replied: “I think so. Nothing is happening to anybody right now. He’s in a good place and we’ve talked to him about how we’re going to play, how it fits him and how big a role he’s going to play.
“Of course, we are all adults when you talk. If there is a huge bid from a top club, no one will stand in Pedro’s way. I am sure he will be here, because we have not seen anything that makes the club think he will not be here. But of course, a lot of business can be done late.”
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The signing of Neto could provide Liverpool with welcome cover for Mo Salah on the right flank, especially if Ben Doak is loaned out, with Leicester and Southampton also expressing interest.
The 24-year-old, described by O’Neill as ‘hugely talented and very physically gifted’ (BBC Sport), knows the Premier League well, having made 111 appearances for the club. He is in the prime of his football career and could be the Egyptian’s long-term successor at Anfield.
However, he will need to improve his goalscoring form quickly if he is to justify Wolves’ £60m valuation. The Portuguese winger has scored just 14 goals in 135 appearances for the club (Transfermarkt).
There are also questions about how reliable he will be in terms of availability, having suffered two long-term injuries at Molineux and missed 23 games last season with a separate issue (Transfermarkt).
O’Neill appears to be open to a move if Liverpool want to make a big move for the 24-year-old, but we don’t think Diogo Jota’s compatriot will repeat the move our No.20 made four years ago, especially if long-coveted Anthony Gordon is brought in.
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