Liverpool looking to net Neto from Fiorentina to solve goalie woe

Liverpool, 3/1 shots with Coral for a top four finish, are after Fiorentina’s Brazilian goalie Neto as a winter window replacement for current criticised custodian Simon Mignolet, according to reports in Italy.

The British tabloid press echo those sentiments, claiming Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is prepared to offer the 25-year-old, who is in Samba Boys boss Dunga’s squad but yet to make his senior international debut, a weekly wage of £125k at Anfield.

Belgium understudy stopper Mignolet has attracted widespread criticism for his performances at the Merseyside outfit, and scored an own goal in Liverpool’s 3-1 victory at Leicester City in midweek. Pundits and commentators feel he has failed to build on the encouraging displays at Sunderland that led to his move in the first place.

Neto, meanwhile, played in last term’s Coppa Italia final for his current club under former Fulham and Roma forward Vincenzo Montella. That run, coupled with six clean sheets in 13 Serie A outings this term, has raised this his profile and he is now being linked strongly with the Reds.

It’s not just Liverpool that are interested in Neto, however, with Roma reportedly looking for a long-term successor to Bogdan Lobont and Morgan De Sanctis, who are 36 and 37 respectively.

Florence outfit Fiorentina must sell Neto in January or risk losing him for nothing this coming summer when he is out of contract. If they do cash in him, Roma are domestic rivals and that would weaken Montella’s position in building to push again for Europe.

Allowing a side outside of Italy to purchase the player, however, could have no effect on the Viola, unless Liverpool were to drop out of the Champions League into the Europa League and the two sides meet in that continental competition. Neto is not cup-tied as he hasn’t played in the group stage.

Fiorentina are 16/1 shots to win the Europa League with, of the currently participating teams, only Tottenham, holders Sevilla and fellow Serie A sides Inter Milan and Napoli more fancied to lift the trophy.