Liverpool are reportedly prepared to match any offer from another club for midfield target Enzo Fernandez, with a 'pre-agreement' said to be in place.
Fernandez has been one of the breakout stars of the 2022 World Cup after helping Argentina reach the semi-finals. The Benfica starlet began the tournament on the bench, but started both knockout games as Lionel Scaloni's side got past Australia and the Netherlands to set up a last-four clash with Croatia.
The 21-year-old only moved to Benfica from River Plate over the summer, but his form for club and country has seen Liverpool and a number of other potential suitors keeping an eye on him. He isn't the only midfielder on the Reds' radar, with Jude Bellingham links persisting, but progress appears to have been made.
According to O Jogo (via Sport Witness ), the Reds have a pre-agreement with Fernandez's entourage ahead of a potential move. The same report suggests they have 'promised' to match any proposal from another suitor.
A move in January could set the Premier League club back as much as €120m, with Benfica reluctant to sell Fernandez for less than his asking price. This means a summer move appears more likely, with a chance to pick up the star for a little less during the off-season, though Real Madrid could provide competition to Jurgen Klopp's side if and when a move materialises.
Benfica are understandably keen to keep hold of Fernandez as they fight for honours on multiple fronts. Roger Schmidt's team sit eight points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga after 13 games, and also topped their Champions League group ahead of Paris Saint-Germain to set up a last-16 meeting with Club Brugge.
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Liverpool's reported interest in Fernandez doesn't mean their pursuit of Bellingham is over. Indeed, earlier in December they appeared to have taken the lead in the race for the England and Borussia Dortmund star.
Teenage midfielder Bellingham continues to be linked with a move away from Dortmund over the summer, after some impressive performances for England at the World Cup - especially in the last 16 victory over Senegal - saw his stock rise. Liverpool remains somewhere he would reportedly be keen to play, though Liverpool's domestic struggles could be a worry with Champions League qualification hanging in the balance.
Klopp's team went into the international break seven points adrift of the top four in the Premier League, albeit with a game in hand on two of the teams above them. They are still alive in Europe as they aim to improve on last season's runner-up finish to Real Madrid, though, with a rematch of the 2022 final on the horizon in the round of 16.
