‘i love Liverpool’ – €120m Potential Jude Bellingham alternative and top Liverpool target responds to interest

‘i love Liverpool’ – €120m Potential Jude Bellingham alternative and top Liverpool target responds to interest

Benfica superstar Enzo Fernandez is reportedly aware of the transfer speculations, though is in no hurry to leave Benfica amid links to Liverpool.

According to a report from O Jogo (via Sport Witness), the Merseysiders are reportedly thinking about signing the 21-year-old in the “near or medium term.”

Enzo Fernandez (photo by Getty images)

According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool “don’t exclude out” acquiring Fernandez either in January or the following summer.

In his contract, Fernandez reportedly has a €120 million (£108 million) release clause. Given that Benfica are unwilling to sell in the middle of the season and that there is no chance that Liverpool will activate such a hefty clause, a trade will probably have to wait until next summer.

They could test the waters in January by making a bid that is higher than what Benfica paid but somewhat below than the release clause.

In recent transfer windows, Liverpool has frequently purchased from Portuguese clubs. Darwin Núñez also arrived at the club from Benfica.

The Reds are said to have Jude Bellingham at the top of their summer transfer wishlist, though intense interest in the Englishman could yet force Jurgen Klopp’s men in an alternative direction.

A comparable sizeable barrier exists in the form of a £107.8 million release clause, which is a reduction from the £131.6 million price tag Borussia Dortmund is rumored to have attached to their prize prodigy.

Fernandez stands out as an intriguing all-arounder for the Primeira Liga-based team as a box-to-box midfielder with excellent defensive attributes, most notably a willingness to slip into the backline when defenders are dragged out of place, and a great passing range.

Although it seems the latter of the two would hardly constitute a poor second-choice should we fail to persuade the England international to choose Klopp’s ambition, Bellingham’s preference for Liverpool will undoubtedly remain a transfer.

In other news, Liverpool transfer: Liverpool are ‘plotting to rival Chelsea’ after preparing a huge bid for 20-year-old incredible midfield talent next summer