Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ruben Neves and Lucas Leiva

Liverpool will face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea in their bid to land FC Porto youngster Ruben Neves, according to the latest reports. Elsewhere, Lucas Leiva has revealed how close he came to leaving Anfield during the summer.

Neves has been fiercely linked with the Reds of late, but TalkSport cited a report from Portuguese outlet Visao de Mercado that said Chelsea are preparing an £18 million offer for the midfielder's signature.

The Blues would certainly be able to compete with manager Jurgen Klopp's side in a financial sense, but the Merseysiders could well look a more tantalising prospect after their fine start to the 2016-17 campaign. The Reds sit fourth in the table after winning five of their seven games thus far, level with Chelsea, who have played a game more.

That being said, the teenager has been demoted at the Estadio do Dragao this season, and Metro's Primeira Liga expert Jan Hagen noted his name had been left off the club's UEFA Champions League squad list:

Neves has made four appearances for the Dragons this season and started in only two of those outings, meaning both Liverpool and Chelsea could rethink their interest in the once highly praised starlet.

Hagen also illustrated Neves' previous woes in pre-season, enduring a struggle for first-team minutes under manager Nuno Espirito Santo after blitzing his way onto the European stage in the last two seasons:

Liverpool's midfield is already looking packed these days, with captain Jordan Henderson already jostling with Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum, Emre Can, James Milner and others for a central spot.

TalkSport added Serie A champions Juventus are also hunting the 19-year-old, while Italian outlet Calciomercato noted his release clause is valued at a whopping €40 million (£36 million).

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Lucas could be the man to make way for new arrivals in the engine room, however, after he revealed to ESPN Brasil (h/t Squawka) just how close he came to departing the Liverpool dressing room over the summer.

Turkish titans Galatasaray were one outfit associated with a move for the Anfield veteran, and Lucas confirmed a departure was on the horizon before Klopp opted to keep him around.

"There really were a few exit opportunities, they ended up not happening," the Reds stalwart said. "Liverpool didn’t feel comfortable to seal a deal. For the time I’ve been here, I respected the club and stayed for another year, for this season, starting my tenth season for the club, which is a very cool landmark."

Injuries in central defence meant the Brazilian was kept at the club in order to provide cover at the back, but Lucas could still leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of this season.

The 29-year-old arrived on Merseyside from boyhood club Gremio in 2007, meaning he'll mark his 10-year anniversary at the club next summer, a date that could also mark the end of his Anfield stay.