Rumours have swirled about an agreement between Fernandez and Liverpool, but Benfica will not let him leave for below his release clause.
Benfica will reportedly hold out for Enzo Fernandez’s full €120million release clause just six months after signing him for €10million from River Plate.
Fernandez, 21, has become one of the hottest names in football since joining Benfica, helping his side to an unbeaten Champions League group stage before earning a place in Argentina’s World Cup squad.
After starting the group stage on the bench, Fernandez worked his way into the starting XI for the final group game against Poland, before playing every minute of Argentina’s knockout stage.
His rapid rise has made Fernandez a target for both Real Madrid and Liverpool, and despite earlier reports that he would be available for €100m, the Portuguese club now appear to be content with nothing less than his release clause.
Portuguese publication Record reports that a €100m bid rejected by Benfica came from Liverpool, with an earlier Daily Mirror article claiming the Reds had reached a preliminary agreement with Fernandez on personal terms.
Liverpool have made no secret of their desire for a new midfielder, but it remains to be seen whether an additional €20m to meet the release clause will be a deal breaker.
Meanwhile, Madrid appear to be looking elsewhere, with new AS reporting that they are in the driver’s seat in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and that they view 24-year-old Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli as a surefire addition. plan if neither Fernandez nor Bellingham land.
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