Liverpool target Enzo Fernandez isn't the only midfielder being eyed up by the Premier League side, with Atalanta 's Giorgio Scalvini also reported to be on their radar.
Benfica and Argentina star Fernandez has been a stand-out performer at the World Cup, scoring in his team's crucial group stage victory over Mexico and playing the full 120 minutes as Lionel Scaloni's side beat the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. His release clause of €120m (£102.9m) might be too steep for a January move, though, despite reports of an agreement in principle being in place.
Italian teenager Scalvini could be a cheaper option, with a figure in the region of €40m touted for a youngster who made his senior international debut this year. However, it doesn't appear to be a case of either-or as far as Liverpool's recruitment is concerned.
Liverpool have a number of midfielders out of contract at the end of the 2022-23 season. Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner could all leave for nothing, while on-loan Arthur is not expected to see his move made permanent.
It is no surprise, then, to see the Reds linked with reinforcements. And, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness ), Scalvini is the man in the frame.
The €40m figure is said to represent a jump-off point as Atalanta brace themselves for offers for the 19-year-old. Liverpool aren't the only ones in the mix, though, with Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Inter Milan all said to be keen.
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Scalvini has three senior caps for Italy, all of which arrived in 2022. He made his debut from the bench in June's UEFA Nations League defeat to Germany, and completed 90 minutes for the Azzurri for the first time in November as Roberto Mancini's side beat Albania 3-1.
"He’s very good, he’s a boy – like everyone else, they’ve been extraordinary – and he can play in two roles, he’s technical, he has a good physique," Mancini said in June. "He just needs to gain experience. He will become a great footballer. we believe in them (the youngsters in the squad) a lot."
While often used as a defensive midfielder, he played as one of three centre-backs in Tirana and has played at the back at club level. That suggests he could complement Fernandez - or fellow big-money target Jude Bellingham - rather than compete with either of the pair for a starting spot.
The teenager was just 16 when he made a Serie A matchday squad for the first time in November 2020, and made his debut in the competition a few weeks before his 18th birthday. He has scored twice in 29 appearances in the competition, including the winner against Roma earlier this season.
