Reports in Portugal have claimed that Liverpool are close to beating Real Madrid to the signings of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Borussia Dortmund‘s Jude Bellingham.
Real and Liverpool have identified the duo as their main targets for next summer with both midfielders making their mark at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Reds are currently leading the Real, Manchester City and Chelsea in the race to sign Bellingham, who could cost upwards of £130million, with the 19-year-old Jurgen Klopp’s No 1 target.
Liverpool are reportedly close to beating Real Madrid to the signings of Enzo Fernandez (left) and Jude Bellingham (right)
And while they lead Real in the race to sign Bellingham, Liverpool will also pip the Spanish giants to Fernandez as well after reaching a ‘pre-agreement’ with the 21-year-old’s entourage, according to Portuguese news outlet La Capital.
Another report from Portuguese newspaper Ojogo has also reported that Liverpool are also ‘promising to match’ any offer made for the Argentina international, in what would be a huge blow to Real.
That report also claims that Fernandez is ‘already in Liverpool’s hands’ and that the 21-year-old, who has a £102m release clause (€120m), is leaning towards joining the Premier League side.
It is also being claimed a move is more likely to take place in the summer with Liverpool hoping to avoid paying his current release clause.
Reports claim Jurgen Klopp’s side have already reached a ‘pre-agreement’ with Fernandez
The Fernandez news will come as a huge blow to Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti (pictured)
Klopp is intent on bolstering his midfield with younger talent, given how James Milner, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson over the age of 30.
Fernandez, alongside Bellingham, is viewed as the suitable successors to Liverpool’s current crop of veteran midfielders following a series of stunning performances in Qatar.
Fernandez has helped guide Argentina to the semi-finals, where they will face Croatia on Tuesday night, showing Europe’s elite exactly what he’s capable of.
The same applies to Bellingham, who produced several brilliant displays before England crashed out at the quarter-final stage after losing 2-1 to France.
Bellingham scored his first senior international goal when he headed home Luke Shaw’s cross in England’s 6-2 win over Iran in their opening World Cup group game. Starting each game of the Three Lions campaign, he also teed up Jordan Henderson’s opening goal in…