Liverpool ‘promise to match’ any offer for Benfica star as journalist confirms links are ‘true’

Joe Williams
Liverpool target Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring a goal

Liverpool are ready to ‘match’ any offer that comes Enzo Fernandez’s way this summer as they look to agree terms with the Benfica midfielder, according to reports.

The Reds are looking to bring in at least one new midfielder in the summer transfer window as supporters and pundits pinpoint that as a week spot in their side.

Liverpool looked like they had wrapped up their transfer deals early on in the summer with Jurgen Klopp claiming it would be unlikely for them to go back into the market.

However, poor form and injuries forced Klopp’s hand as Liverpool took Juventus midfielder Arthur on loan until the end of the season in deadline day.

The Brazilian was ruled out for three or four months in October after picking up a thigh injury in training and undergoing surgery to repair it.

Liverpool will be hopeful he is fit soon after the World Cup but, with Arthur unlikely to be a solution beyond this campaign, they are turning their attention to next summer and bringing in long-term defensive reinforcements.

Jude Bellingham’s name keeps coming up, especially after his brilliant World Cup campaign with England, and Liverpool now look in the driving seat for his signature,

And yesterday a report claimed that Liverpool have ‘reached a pre-agreement’ with Benfica’s Fernandez, who has had a great World Cup for Argentina.

He has been one of the tournament’s best young players with the 21-year-old scoring a stunning goal in Argentina’s crucial 2-0 victory over Mexico in the group stages.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness) back up reports coming out of Spain that Fernandez has sealed a pre-agreement with the Reds and add that Liverpool ‘promise to match’ any offer from elsewhere for his services.

The newspaper insists that Fernandez is ‘already in Liverpool’s hands’ and they are prepared to wait until the summer to get a better deal with Benfica holding out for a huge fee in the winter market.

And Argentinian journalist Juan Pablo Varsky has insisted those rumours are ‘true’ after they ‘approached the player with a contract offer’.

He explains that there are ‘still no negotiation with Benfica’ and that the Portuguese giants still want his €120m release clause met if the Merseysiders want to do a deal this winter.

Varsky adds that Real Madrid ‘also has him on the radar’ as they also do with England international Bellingham,

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