Report: ‘Excellent’ midfielder actually has a £77m release clause, and Liverpool are prepared to pay it

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Reported Liverpool transfer target Enzo Fernandez has a lower release clause than initially thought.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Marca, anyway. They claim that the Argentine midfielder will actually be available to any club who pay Benfica around £77.4m.

As a result, Liverpool have reportedly targeted Fernandez as a more ‘affordable’ option to Jude Bellingham. It’s claimed that paying such a fee is deemed to be well within the Reds’ reach. They are also said to have been encouraged that Fernandez may be available to switch clubs during the January transfer window.

This is reportedly all be good news for Real Madrid. They too have been monitoring the Benfica man, but would prefer to push ahead for a move to bring Bellingham to the Bernabeu.

So, Liverpool’s need for a more immediate fix is said to have opened up a ‘clear path’ to the 19-year-old for Madrid.

Liverpool battle for midfield supremacy

The race to sign these two players already promises to be an epic one. In both instances, it looks like Liverpool and Madrid could go head to head.

There have been plenty of reports this week that Liverpool are indeed planning to push hard to sign Enzo Fernandez. However, this is the first suggestion that it would come at the price of losing Bellingham.

Instead, it would appear that the Reds are plotting a quite spectacular recruitment drive, brining them both to Anfield.

Now, for anyone used to watching on as Liverpool scrimp and save in the market, this seems almost inconceivable. And perhaps it is.

But it’s worth remembering that FSG were ready to spend big to sign Aurelien Tchouameni last summer. Throughout that pursuit, there was never any suggestion that it would take away from the interest in Bellingham.

This should, in theory, mean that Liverpool were always looking to add two big signings to their midfield. There’s no question that they need it, but this would still be a real statement regardless.

Fernandez, along with Bellingham, has been one of the standout performers during the World Cup in Qatar. It’s easy to see why Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has called him ‘excellent’ this season.

Reports have always suggested that the 21-year-old has a release clause of something like £107m. If Marca have called this one right, then this double swoop starts to look a whole lot more doable for Liverpool.

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