Report: Real Madrid switch attention from Bellingham, they’re now going after £103m Liverpool target instead

Add as preferred source on Google

Real Madrid have made the first concrete move in their attempt to sign reported Liverpool transfer target Enzo Fernandez.

That’s according to O Jogo, who claim that Madrid have been in touch with the player’s agent over a move. This could be bad news for Liverpool, who have also been strongly linked with the Benfica player.

However, the Spaniard’s move could also be good news for Liverpool. That’s because Madrid are said to have ‘reformulated their targets’ in regard to their pursuit of Jude Bellingham.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly asking for £130m for Bellingham, which Real aren’t too sure about paying. With English clubs leading the race, Madrid have supposedly now installed Fernandez as their new top target instead.

Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly unwilling to enter into a bidding war with the likes of Liverpool. As a result, it’s claimed that Madrid won’t wait until the end of the season for Enzo.

But with the player impressing for Argentina at the world cup, Benfica know they’ve got an asset. Subsequently, the Portuguese giants are said to be holding out for payment of Fernandez’s £103m release clause.

Liverpool and Madrid face off yet again

There’s a lot to take in here. It’s fascinating that Madrid and Liverpool have essentially been battling for three midfielders in the space of a few months.

Firstly, the Spanish Champions won the race to sign Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco. Then, Bellingham came along, and Liverpool look the likelier to win that. Finally, Fernandez is probably now leaning towards Madrid.

The three of them together would make one heck of a midfield. Alas, it seems impossible that we’ll ever see that. More likely, whichever team misses out on Bellingham, you’d expect to sign Fernandez instead.

But the Argentina international is far from a consolation prize. It’s perhaps possible that Liverpool were looking at pairing he and Bellingham together, before the former’s valuation went through the roof.

Now it would be a hugely costly affair to bring both to Anfield. Liverpool do need more numbers in midfield as well as Bellingham. Recent reports suggest that this is indeed their plan, too.

It surely won’t be in the shape of Fernandez, though. So, as Reds fans tune in to watch him at the World Cup today, they can maybe let go of the idea of seeing him in a Liverpool shirt.