Joao Neves has already opened door to Liverpool 'interest' amid £102m release clause

Liverpool have reportedly emerged as frontrunners to sign 19-year-old Benfica talent Joao Neves as Premier League clubs eye a move for the midfielder.

Neves had a breakout season at the Estadio da Luz, making 55 appearances in all competitions, and the central player has already been linked with a big-money move away from Portugal.

Manchester United have been firmly linked with his services, while Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and Bayern Munich are among the other clubs mooted. This week, O Jogo reported that the midfielder is set to be subject of a battle between Europe's elite but Liverpool are among the clubs leading the charge.

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The ECHO reported last week that after the Moises Caicedo fiasco of last season and the pursuit of Aurelien Tchouaemni in previous years the search for a 'number six' could be on the cards once more.

Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners is among the players linked with a move to Anfield, as well as Neves' Liga Portugal rival Alan Varela, who featured prominently for FC Porto in their domestic cup-winning campaign.

It has been said that Benfica would demand suitors pay his release clause of £102million. Meanwhile, reports from Record have claimed that the Red Devils have had a €60million (£51m) bid rejected by the Portuguese giants.

The future of Neves remains to be seen, the 19-year-old has four years remaining on his current deal with the club. But he has already spoken about the next steps in his career and failed to commit to the project in Lisbon.

"Staying at Benfica next year? I can't promise anything for next season," he said. "My wish at the moment is to stay at Benfica and then we will see, you never know."