Liverpool Identify Portuguese Winger As Potential Transfer Target: Right Option For Klopp?

Liverpool have reportedly added Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto to their list of targets if Mohamed Salah leaves next year.

Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad made a £150million bid for Mohamed Salah in the past summer transfer window, which was immediately rejected by the Reds. However, Al-Ittihad remain desperate to get their man and this might force the Merseyside club to dip into the market, with Jurgen Klopp already jotting down potential targets.

According to Football Transfers, Liverpool have revived their interest in Wolves star Pedro Neto, who is under consideration along with Juventus player Federico Chiesa and one other unnamed footballer.

Pedro Neto’s form has been hard to overlook this season, and he was also pivotal to Wolves’ impressive 2-1 home win over Manchester City on Saturday, playing a huge part in his team’s opening goal. The Portugal international has registered one goal and four assists in his first seven appearances so far.

The report adds the problem for Liverpool with the 23-year-old wideman is Wolves’ valuation. Justifiably, the Wanderers would expect a substantial fee for Neto, who is under contract at Molineux until 2026.

Pedro Neto to Liverpool—Right choice for the club?

Neto was widely considered one of the Premier League’s best young wide forwards during his first few seasons at Wolves, but his development has been held back by long-term knee and ankle injuries in the last two years. He barely started for Wolves during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns and netted just one goal in 32 games across all competitions in that period.

However, having recovered fully from his injury problems, the Portuguese has commenced the 2023/24 season in breathtaking fashion and Wolves are reaping the rich rewards of his consistent presence. Neto’s eye-catching performances this season have led to renewed interest from Liverpool for his signature amid the uncertain future of Salah.

Pedro Neto, who is left-footed, is capable of playing on either flank but frequently starts from the right. Salah has made the wide right position at Liverpool his own for the last six years. The Egyptian has been among the Premier League’s best players in recent years, helping the Reds win the full set of trophies under Klopp.

However, the 31-year-old has two years left on his current contract at Anfield, and with Al-Ittihad expected to make an approach again next summer, Liverpool are already considering targets to replace Salah. While Neto could cost a lot of money, he could turn out to be a brilliant signing for Liverpool. The 22-year-old’s energy, work rate, dynamism and incisiveness make him tailor-made for Klopp’s system, while his volumes of Premier League experience should help him settle down quickly at Anfield.

Pedro Neto has the quality and potential to become a crucial cog in Klopp’s setup. The opportunity to move to a club like Liverpool could be an attractive proposition. The Portugal international will want to compete for major trophies and the Reds have the resources to attract top-class players.

A move in January for Neto seems unlikely, so the Merseyside outfit will need to try their luck at the end of the season.