Florian Neuhaus wants a summer move to Liverpool, according to Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk, with Kicker stating he has a release clause worth €40m.
Speaking on his podcast, Falk said that the 24-year-old has his heart set on a move to the Merseyside outfit.
Georginio Wijnaldum is set to leave at the end of his contract this summer. Liverpool will have to sign a new centre-midfielder.
While it is not completely out of the question that Wijnaldum extends his deal, it would make sense for the club to try to sign a young midfield option. It now looks like that man could be Neuhaus.
Reliable journalist Christian Falk has confirmed both Liverpool’s interest in Neuhaus and Neuhaus’ wish to join Liverpool.
Crucially, Falk also stated in February that Neuhaus has a release clause of €40m. This makes him a much more attractive option to a team that does not have unlimited funds to spend.
In a feature with his employer, Bild, Falk stated that Liverpool have been watching Neuhaus for a while. He also noted in February that Bayern are unlikely to move for the player as they have already spent big money on Dayot Upamecano.
So it is clear that Liverpool like Neuhaus and that Neuhaus wants Liverpool. Now the club just needs to decide whether to make their move or not.
Neuhaus could easily come in and play a similar role to the one that Wijnaldum has done for the last number of years. He can receive the ball deep and move it forward, press high up the pitch and have an influence in the final third.
If Jurgen Klopp and his staff decide that they want a like-for-like replacement for the Dutchman, there may not be a better option out there than Florian Neuhaus.
Neuhaus on his way to superstardom
Neuhaus has been one of the standout midfielders in the Bundesliga for the last three seasons. He has been a key player for a Gladbach side that are hoping to finish in the Champions League places for a second year running.
Marco Rose’s men look unlikely to get top four this year as they have been crippled by injuries to key men. Yet Neuhaus has remained incredibly impressive.
This season has seen him play most often in a double-pivot in midfield, which he has done superbly. This shows that he can play as a sitting No 6 as well as a box-to-box No 8.
However, he managed eight assists in the 2018/19 season, proving he is also comfortable playing further forward.
This season, he has seven goals and eight assists in the league, a very good number for a deep midfielder.
While he is very competent from a physical aspect, it is Neuhaus’ technical and tactical abilities that are truly outstanding.
He is incredibly press-resistant and has the ability to spin away from opponents with his quick feet, similar to a Thiago or a Luka Modric.
The Bavarian excels with his ball progression. He is completing 6.4 progressive passes and 6.8 progressive dribbles per 90 this season.
He is making 2.2 shot-creating actions per 90, proving himself to be useful in creating chances. Neuhaus is also a regular shooter, taking 1.54 per game this season, which is actually down from his previous seasons.
He is not a defensive monster by any means but is still putting up a very decent 3.4 tackles and interceptions.
However, this is not incredibly important, as he is more often than not in the right position defensively. This means that he doesn’t have to commit to defensive challenges, instead forcing the attacker into an error.
He is a big favourite of his manager Marco Rose. The future-Borussia Dortmund boss is a disciple of Jurgen Klopp, proving that Neuhaus would be perfect for Liverpool’s system.
This could well be a story that we hear a lot more from in the next few weeks and months.