Chelsea are preparing to spend nearly £200m on two Liverpool transfer targets, according to reports. The Reds are seeing their options disappear.
This comes from the Guardian. They claim that Chelsea are closing in on Enzo Fernández from Benfica. The Argentine midfielder will cost them £115m – above his release clause.
That’s because the Blues don’t wish to pay the fee in full. They’ll pay more than his £105m clause but do so with instalments. The extra money is essentially compensation to Benfica for doing so.
Liverpool have been linked with Enzo for a long time, of course. We were writing about him before the World Cup as a target, in fact, while both Marca and O Jogo name the Reds as suitors.
Fabrizio Romano says the main reason they haven’t moved this month is an ‘obsession’ with Jude Bellingham.
Chelsea, though, aren’t stopping at one. The Guardian’s report mentions they’ll also try to sign Moisés Caicedo from Brighton at the deadline. That’s going to push their spend to nearly £200m as the Seagulls just rejected a £70m offer from Arsenal, per the Daily Mail.
Caicedo is another player Liverpool have liked for a long time. Romano recently claimed they were ‘well informed’ of his situation this month, while there are claims he’s been on the radar for at least two years.
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Chelsea clearly want to improve their midfield – that much is obvious. Liverpool, though, have an even greater need to do so and yet will almost certainly ignore any opportunity to do so this window.
The reason is that ‘obsession’ over Bellingham. Liverpool are going all-in on the Englishman, refusing to pay over the odds for anyone else and risk jeopardising that deal.
It’s an enormous risk. Enzo and Caicedo are essentially the best alternatives to Bellingham. Not only will they be off the table but could join the same club – one of Liverpool’s closest rivals.
At this point, failing to secure Bellingham would be a complete disaster.
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