Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward, has expressed strong support for his Portugal teammate Joao Neves, who has become a prime target for the Reds. Reports from Correio da Manha indicate that the 19-year-old midfielder is a priority for Liverpool’s summer transfer plans under new manager Arne Slot. However, Benfica’s steep valuation of $130.7 million and interest from other top clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain make this a challenging pursuit.
Jota and Neves recently played together in Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign, where they advanced to the quarter-finals before losing to France in a penalty shootout. Having spent significant time with Neves, Jota is confident in his abilities, stating, “Joao Neves has the quality and the mindset to go really far.”
Jota himself had limited playing time during the tournament, featuring for just 97 minutes across three matches. Despite his disappointment with his role under Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, Jota is determined to channel his frustration into a productive pre-season as he gears up for Slot’s first season at Liverpool. Overcoming previous injury troubles, he aims to stay fit and contribute significantly to the team.
Arne Slot, taking over from Jurgen Klopp, aims to uphold and build upon the winning culture established by his predecessor. Slot emphasizes the importance of trophies and improvement, stating, “We’re here to win something.
We’re here to become better players, to become a better team, and as an end result of that, we want to win trophies.” This ambitious mindset is expected to drive Liverpool’s pursuit of top talents like Neves and their quest for silverware in the upcoming season.
