Liverpool want Arne Slot's ideal No9 who costs almost HALF of £100m Joao Pedro

Brighton forward Joao Pedro has been named as a potential Liverpool recruit ahead of the summer transfer window. There is no doubt the 23-year-old is a classy operator but a reported £100 million price tag may be too rich for FSG’s blood.

His link-up play and chance creation are characteristics to be appreciated and there is no doubt that the Brazil international can look after himself.

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But he’s only scored 17 Premier League goals in nearly two seasons at Brighton; for the kind of money being spoken about, expectations will be set far higher.

This season, Joao Pedro has got eight top-flight goals although three of those have come from the penalty spot. His six assists speak to his ability as a playmaker but it’s understandable why Reds’ decision-makers are dragging their feet.

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There is one other Brazilian international in the Prem who could improve the Reds’ strike line - and one who comes with the seal of approval from Arne Slot.

It was back in February when the Liverpool head coach described Wolves forward Matheus Cunha as a “quality” player, suggesting he had the sufficient level to play for any of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Arne Slot admires Matheus Cunha

“He's a type of player that I'm referring to when I always say when I compare the leagues that I've worked in and this league,” he said ahead of Liverpool’s game with Wolves, in which Cunha scored.

“I don't know exactly where Wolves is at the moment – 17th? If you go to the Dutch league and you look at the number 17, there's no player that can play for Ajax, PSV or Feyenoord.

“But Matheus Cunha is a quality player and he has the quality to play for one of the top five teams in England.”

That is a ringing endorsement of his quality and about as much as an opposition manager can get away with saying in a press conference about a player on the other team.

Cunha, not necessarily a natural No9, likes to play in the withdrawn forward role and often roves to the left in search of the ball. And the 25-year-old can make an impact.

How does Cunha compare to Liverpool strikers?

Overall in his Premier League career he’s scored 27 goals and added 11 assists in 75 matches. But his form over the past two seasons - especially once former Liverpool coach Gary O’Neil unlocked his talent - has been sensational.

Last season he scored 12 goals and added seven assists in 32 matches. This term he’s played 26 games, scored 13 goals - zero penalties - and made four assists.

By contrast, Darwin Nunez in that time frame hit 11 goals and eight assists in 26 games last season. This term he’s got five goals and three assists from 24 games.

And that’s in a Liverpool side who dominate possession and create chances by the hatful in comparison to Wolves.

Wolves secured Cunha to a new contract back in February, improving his wage and tying him to the club until 2029. But he is widely expected to leave this summer with a £62.5m buyout clause attached.

Liverpool watching Cunha

Moreover, the player himself has resolved to go. “We’re close to achieving our goal [of staying up],” he told the Guardian in March. “But I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.”

The same Football Insider report says Liverpool are tracking Cunha ahead of a potential summer bid. There is no doubt that Cunha could add something different to the Liverpool attack than Nunez or Diogo Jota.

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And coming in at just over 60 percent of the cost of Joao Pedro, that fee really makes this deal a no-brainer for sporting director Richard Hughes. Arne Slot has already given this deal his nod of approval. Let’s make it happen.