Liverpool will face rivals Crystal Palace with 21-year-old Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil.
According to Football Insider, Premier League heavyweights Liverpool have made a surprise bid to rivals Crystal Palace for the signing of Sunderland star Dan Neil.
The deadline day pursuit of the 21-year-old came as a surprise after the Reds handed Ryan Gravenberch a deal with Bayern Munich. Adding Neil to the roster gives the Reds another homegrown player adding depth to the midfield roster.
The 21-year-old has been with the Black Cats since 2010 and has come through the ranks at The Stadium of Light. He is around the same age when Jordan Henderson moved to Anfield and the Reds would surely love Neil to replicate the former skipper’s impact on Merseyside.
Midfielder Neil can get the job done at both ends of the pitch. Although he is not a regular starter at Liverpool, he can provide Jurgen Klopp with options and maybe even surprise him by grabbing the opportunity with both hands.
One of Sunderland’s most prominent players, Liverpool have been monitoring the midfield ace for 12 months. Crystal Palace are also interested in the Englishman and could still make a late bid for his services. A reliable passer and tackler, Neil is solid if not convincing on the field. He can be expected to get the job done and shouldn’t be afraid to put in the effort. Certainly, either Crystal Palace or Liverpool could be on the verge of unearthing an unpolished gem.
Palace could add Neil to a midfield that already has Cheick Doucoure and Jefferson Lerma. The trio should give Roy Hodgson a reliable base in the middle of the park to build his team around. With the transfer window closing in a few hours, it remains to be seen if Crystal Palace and Liverpool can make a move. Regardless of who comes out on top, Neil could surprise some pundits and fans in the coming months.
