Liverpool transfer news as $130m Joao Neves 'talks held' and work on signing starts 'immediately'

As more players link up with Liverpool for pre-season training, the transfer links continue to ramp up too. Arne Slot has only just begun working with the group he has and he will run the rule over them before big decisions are made, but the Reds are prepared to do business when interesting potential additions crop up on the market.

While there are no glaring holes in the squad as there was a year ago with the midfield in desperate need of a revamp, adding a center-back and a new forward would seem most pressing. In an ideal world, a top-class holding midfielder would also emerge that Liverpool could snap up, but there are no obvious names that fit the bill there.

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Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. There are some new names being linked with transfer moves to Anfield with one having a particularly large release clause.

Joao Neves (Benfica)

The Portuguese outlet O Jogo is reporting that Liverpool , among other clubs, has spoken with Benfica regarding 19-year-old wonderkid Joao Neves . The player has a $130m (£102m/€120m) release clause though any interested party would try and negotiate on that price, not least because of how young and inexperienced Neves still is, as highly rated as he is in his homeland.

Liverpool, Manchester United , Arsenal and PSG are all keen on Neves, the report states. As it stands, efforts to tie Neves down to a new contract on a bigger salary have so far failed which could hint that he is exploring a move elsewhere. Premier League clubs are also said to be eyeing up Antonio Silva and several other Benfica stars.

Liverpool.com says: Neves feels like a player who will get a big move sooner rather than later but if Benfica wants to get the full release clause, he might be frustrated this summer. He is contracted until 2028 so the Portuguese outfit has a strong enough bargaining position.

Baris Alper Yilmaz (Galatasaray)

Liverpool supposedly began working on the signing of Turkish winger Baris Alper Yilmaz "immediately" after watching him at Euro 2024, it has been claimed by Milliyet . Yilmaz, who has not long turned 24, scored seven goals and notched 12 assists last season for Galatasaray.

After impressing for his country, it has been suggested that "several" big clubs are keen on him this summer. Under contract until 2027 and valued at around $33m (£25m/€30m), Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be taking a look at Yilmaz.

Liverpool.com says: This feels like a classic example of a player who is linked mainly off the back of an international tournament, and Liverpool won't just go off that when it comes to selecting signings. While adding another forward option would be no bad thing heading into the new campaign, this doesn't feel particularly likely.