Liverpool are growing confident of signing in-demand wonderkid Ruben Neves after an informal approach was welcomed by the player’s entourage.

Porto midfielder Neves, 18, has attracted the interest of some of Europe’s biggest clubs for his playmaking abilities but Liverpool are the first to make their interest known in a deal that, provisionally, could make Neves the best-paid teenager in world football.

The Reds are long-term admirers of the teenager, as revealed by MirrorSport in January and stepped up their watching of the youngster in the second half of 2015.

Neves, who is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, is a deep-lying midfielder who has attracted praise for his maturity and technique.

He became the youngest-ever player to feature for Portugal’s U21 side and is now playing regular first-team football at Porto.

While Liverpool’s interest pre-dates Jurgen Klopp , the fact that the wheels have been put into motion to secure Neves suggests that the new Anfield boss has given his blessing.

On being hired by the Merseyside club, Klopp insisted that he will have “the first and last word” on transfers, but is unlikely to shut down a deal for one of the world’s brightest young talents.

Source: Daily Mirror

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