Manchester City director Joan Patsy has claimed that he turned down the chance to sign reported Liverpool target Enzo Fernandez.
In quotes from Que T’hi Jugues via the Liverpool Echo, Patsy claims that City could have signed Fernandez for a bargain fee last summer.
“Manchester City could’ve signed Enzo Fernandez, but what do we do if we have Gundogan, Bernardo and Rodri in the squad?” posed the director. “He would’ve cost us less than he did Benfica, but we didn’t have a place and we knew he wouldn’t play.”
Given that Benfica signed the World Cup winner for around £15.7m, that would have been quite the steal from City. Their loss is very much the Portuguese club’s gain, and could soon be Liverpool’s, too.
Liverpool preparing bid for Enzo
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio today, Liverpool, unlike City, have been convinced by Fernandez’s talents. They’ll reportedly submit what has been described as a ‘monster’ bid for the Argentinian.
There is a shame in the fact that the Reds didn’t move for the 21-year-old last summer, though. Suggestions have been made that Liverpool were already tracking him before he left River Plate six months ago.
If City had the chance to sign him for such a nominal fee, it’s probably safe to assume that Liverpool did too.
Having presumably turned down that chance, the Reds could now pay six or seven times what they would have. There have been reports that Fernandez has a release clause of around £103m [Diario Uno], and Liverpool may have to pay it all.
Still, that’s a pill that they’ll just have to swallow. Having watched Enzo win the Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup there’s no doubt that he’s good enough to play for Liverpool.
Alongside Jude Bellingham, he’s now the hottest young midfield property on the planet. If reports are correct, Liverpool could soon have both players in their squad.
That’s going to cost them a pretty penny, no doubt. But, regardless of what this particular director would have you believe, it’s a midfield that would be the envy of every team in the world. City included.
It’s not done yet, of course. Perhaps it isn’t even close. Liverpool look to moving in the right direction with this one, though.
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