Plans are in place for recruitment even though Liverpool has not yet formally named their next sporting director and is still searching for Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.
Head of recruiting David Fallows and top scout Barry Hunter are moving forward in anticipation of the anticipated arrivals of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, who will be in charge of the club’s transfer procedure.
That would appear to entail considering Wolves winger Neto as a potential target for the summer transfer season.
According to Mike McGrath of the Telegraph, who is usually a trustworthy source, Liverpool and Man City are interested in a trade for the 24-year-old.
Although it is emphasised that “he has also been on the radar of others who are looking to bolster their attack with a proven forward,” the championship opponents are identified as “among those who are watching.
It is said that a deal with Wolves would cost “upwards of £60 million,” but Liverpool has demonstrated that they are not beyond making large purchases.
With the possible exception of Naby Keita, every acquisition costing £40 million or more has proven profitable, thus Fenway Sports Group must be certain they are spending this much money on the proper player.
But it’s uncertain if Neto fits into that category.
The fact that he has a record of 14 goals and 24 assists in 134 appearances for Wolves scarcely makes up for any doubts about his ability on the field.
The Portugal international’s fitness record is more worrisome, as he was forced to leave the game on Saturday for the second time in a row due to a hamstring injury.
Following the team’s 2-1 victory over Fulham, manager Gary O’Neil clarified that this was not a repeat of the hamstring injury that sidelined him for nine games at the end of the previous campaign.
Neto missed 98 games for his club and nation due to various injuries during his six stints on the sidelines since joining Wolves from Lazio in 2019.
This season might be just the second time he breaks the 2,000-minute barrier in a single campaign for Wolves if he can get past his present issues.
He has only accomplished it once before, in 2020–21, when he played more minutes (2,720) than the combined total of the following two seasons (1,552).
It’s too bad since before suffering the hamstring injury at the end of October, Neto had a run of eight Premier League games with one goal and seven assists.
Though he has also frequently played on the right, as a No. 10 and up front, Neto has made the most of his appearances for Wolves as a left winger.
