Liverpool have been warned that Enzo Fernandez will stay with Benfica for “a long time” despite interest from Anfield.
The Reds have been linked with a move for the Argentinian over recent days with Jurgen Klopp keen to add a midfielder to his squad following an injury crisis on Merseyside. A number of the club’s midfield options have been ruled out in the early weeks of the season.
With just over just 48 hours remaining in the summer window, a deal looks tricky to complete - particularly with Fernandez having only arrived at Benfica earlier this summer from River Plate.
Probed about potential interest in the midfielder, Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has expressed calm over his future. As quoted by Portuguese outlet Record, he said: “No, I’m not afraid. He feels good here, it’s the perfect place to develop.
“He’s a great player, a great person, he’s focused, professional and knows what he does when he comes here. Everything came together at the right time, I think he will be here for a long time, half a year is not enough.”
Fernandez, 21, only arrived at the Estadio da Luz for around €10millon (£8.5million) earlier this summer, penning a five-year deal in the process. He's enjoyed a bright start to life in Portugal with three goals in his opening seven appearances including one on his Primeira Liga debut against Arouca.
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Despite that, Liverpool will hope that their positive relationship with Benfica could see them secure a deal. The Reds have already done business with the Portuguese giants this summer with the big-money capture of Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez with Liverpool agreeing to pay a potential club record £85m for the striker.
Should the Reds fail in their pursuit of Fernandez, it appears that Klopp has a lengthy midfield shortlist to fall back on. Frenkie de Jong, Toni Kroos, Konrad Laimer and many more have all been linked with moves to Anfield whilst recent reports have suggested that Liverpool have already agreed terms with Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.
Amid Liverpool’s search for a midfielder, boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he is content whether a signing is made or not.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United, he said: “Are we after a midfielder? Ish…closer we get to last minute…more like [they don’t]. I couldn’t [give you a name]. It’s difficult because for sure there a few who are right but there are different issues, at clubs who don’t want to sell, that’s how it is.
“There’s still time but when it’s over, whether someone signs or not, I am really happy as it’s over and we can just focus on the squad we have. Face the situations we have together. Our fans are active on social media so they can stop doing that. We have a good football team.”
