Liverpool will hedge their bets in their attempts to sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez who holds a £108m release clause, and their strategy could stump a Premier League rival.
The Reds have limped out of the gate this season and are already nine points off table-toppers Arsenal. Whether the Gunners can maintain their excellent start, only time will tell. However, perhaps of greater importance to Liverpool is the fact Man City already have an eight-point headstart.
Various reasons have been theorised as to why Liverpool have struggled thus far.
Injuries are one indisputable factor and unfortunately for Jurgen Klopp, they’ve mainly hit in his weakest department.
Liverpool’s midfield is a touchy subject at present and even club legends can’t agree.
Jamie Carragher thinks it’s obvious “two or three” major new names are required. Robbie Fowler, meanwhile, labelled the notion Liverpool need an overhaul as “nonsense”.
Regardless, Liverpool are expected to revamp their midfield in 2023 and the headlines are rightly being taken by Jude Bellingham.
Today’s Euro Paper Talk detailed the player’s alleged preference if he does move.
If Dortmund sell, they’re guaranteed to recoup a humongous fee. The Athletic claimed Dortmund want £131m, while the Sun cited the far more reasonable number of £83m – providing it’s paid up front and in full.
Aside from Belingham, one midfielder who emerged on Liverpool’s radar in the summer was Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez.
Liverpool still keen on Enzo Fernandez
The 21-year-old Argentine only moved to Portugal this summer, netting River Plate €10m plus €8m in add-ons when Benfica came calling.
Sky Sports declared Liverpool were monitoring Fernandez closely in the last window. The central midfielder has taken to life in European football straight away and according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Liverpool’s interest isn’t going away.
Via the Liverpool Echo, it’s stated Liverpool ‘don’t rule out’ moving for Fernandez in either January or next summer.
Fernandez reportedly holds a €120m (£108m) release clause in his deal. Benfica are reluctant to sell mid-season, meaning a deal will likely have to wait until next summer given there’s no chance Liverpool activate such a high clause.
However, they could test the waters in January with a bid above what Benfica paid and well below the release clause.
Liverpool have been frequent buyers from Portuguese clubs in recent windows. Darwin Nunez was the latest to arrive, also from Benfica. Luis Diaz signed from FC Porto nine months ago.
Liverpool raid could upset Wolves
Another frequent trading partner with Portugal’s elite is Wolves.
Bruno Lage’s side broke their club record (£38m) to sign Matheus Nunes from Sporting Lisbon on August 17. Nunes was also a reported Liverpool target and may be on the move after just one season at Molineux.
Regardless, the Sun previously reported Wolves are also an admirer of Enzo Fernandez.
In fact, Wolves reportedly sent an entourage over to South America in an attempt to sign him in June.
Benfica ultimately beat them to the punch, but the Sun noted Wolves could return for Fernandez in January.
However, the newspaper’s information echoed that of O Jogo when stating a summer deal in 2023 is ‘more likely’.
Either way, Enzo Fernandez is clearly one to keep an eye on and could be gracing the Premier League before long.