Liverpool have reportedly made initial contacts with Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez ahead of the January transfer window.
The defensive midfielder, 21, has caught the eye at the World Cup in Qatar, helping Argentina advance to the semi-finals of the competition. He started last week’s quarter-finals clash with the Netherlands, which Argentina won on penalties, although the youngster did miss his spot-kick.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Liverpool have a pre-contract agreement in place to sign Benfica and Argentina’s rising star Enzo Fernandez next summer, whilst Real Madrid are also said to be interested in the midfielder.
Fernandez only arrived at Benfica from Argentinean side River Plate in the past summer transfer window. He impressed during the first part of the campaign with Benfica, scoring three goals in 24 appearances. The Argentina international is believed to have a €120 million release clause in his contract, meaning Benfica are likely to demand Liverpool to trigger the 21-year-old’s buyout clause in order to allow him to leave.
Enzo Fernandez to Liverpool—Is he what the Reds need?
Liverpool are planning for a midfield overhaul next summer after a poor start to the 2022/23 season. Players such as Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are out of contract at the end of the season, while Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are not getting any younger.
After the Reds failed in their pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni, Arthur Melo arrived on a season-long loan from Juventus in the summer but has failed to make any sort of impact. Arthur is currently out injured and it is highly unlikely the Merseysiders turn his loan move permanent. Thus, Jurgen Klopp wants to revamp his midfield unit with fresh and hungry talents, and Enzo Fernandez fits the bill perfectly.
After hitting the ground running at Benfica and playing an instrumental role in their dominant start to the Liga NOS season, Fernandez has made a massive impact for La Albiceleste at the World Cup. He has been playing an increasingly important role throughout the tournament in the Middle East, registering a goal and an assist apiece in five games.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, Fernandez has operated at the base of a three-man midfield for Argentina in Qatar and has impressed with his passing range, reading of the game and ability in attacking areas. The youngster has also featured as a deep-lying playmaker in Benfica’s 4-2-3-1 system, and would provide an all-round threat for Liverpool should they succeed in bringing him to Anfield.
Enzo Fernandez could learn and develop a lot under the wings of a world-class technician like Thiago before potentially taking up the mantle as his long-term successor at Liverpool. The opportunity to join Liverpool could be a tempting proposition for the Argentinean and it would be a step up in his career as well.
Triggering Fernandez’s €120 million release clause to sign him from Benfica would be a very expensive affair for the Reds; however. It remains to be seen how it all pans out as Jurgen Klopp is also well on his way to convincing a particular Jude Bellingham to switch over to Anfield in the summer.
