Liverpool target Joao Neves fails transfer audition despite confident claim from Diogo Jota

All eyes were on highly-rated midfielder Joao Neves when he was handed his first start at Euro 2024, but the 19-year-old failed to shine as Portugal suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Georgia.

With Portugal having already secured qualification for the knockout stages of Euro 2024, head coach Roberto Martinez has made a few changes to his starting line-up to face Georgia. One of the changes was the Benfica youngster, who started alongside Joao Paulinha in central midfield.

Many predicted Neves would be the star of Euro 2024, but until Wednesday’s Group F final, he had played just three minutes in the competition. Neves played 75 minutes against Georgia before being replaced by Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes and failed to live up to the huge $130 million release clause Benfica wrote into his contract.

Portugal team-mate and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota said before the tournament that Neves would “go far” in his senior career, and that may well be the case. But based on Wednesday’s performance, Liverpool’s transfer committee are unlikely to command what would be a club-record signing.

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It was Georgia’s biggest win in its history in what is its first appearance at the European Championships. Portugal, winners in 2016 and one of the favorites to be crowned champions again, were outclassed by Georgia on a night where their team’s players had the chance to impress.

Neves played in his native Portugal with Benfica, establishing himself as a regular starter last season. His performances have attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest teams, including Premier League trio Liverpool, City and Manchester United.

The prospect is contracted until 2028 with Benfica and the Portuguese side have made sure to add a major release clause to his deal to ensure maximum value is extracted from their prized asset. His performance may have been disappointing, but both Jota and City’s Bernardo Silva are convinced he will be a top player.

Jota is convinced Neves will be the real deal from what he has seen, and Silva has offered to work as an agent to bring the player to City. “If I can, I will pull the strings for Joao Neves to go to Man City,” said Silva. “I would like to see Joao join City instead of Man United of course.”

Portuguese outlet CM Jornal have reported that Liverpool are ready to make a huge bid to sign Neves, putting City and United on red alert as their Premier League rivals look to compete for his signature.

New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will also want to make a statement in his first transfer window, but his $130 million release clause is putting teams off. Benfica are under no pressure to sell, with four years remaining on Neves’ contract and based on Wednesday’s game, he is not set for a move to England.