Argentina’s World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez is prioritizing a move to Premier League giants Liverpool, according to O Jogo, despite rival interest from the likes of Manchester City, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
Just six months ago, Benfica took the plunge and did what no one else was willing to do. They triggered the £18 million release clause in Enzo Fernandez’s River Plate contract.
Not even the most optimistic, glass-half-full Benfica supporter would have imagined how far Enzo would come in such a short space of time, however.
On Sunday night at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, the 21-year-old playmaker was posing for photos with a World Cup winners’ medal hanging around his neck, the Young Player of the Tournament award in one hand, the Jules Rimet glittering in the other.
His price tag, meanwhile, has soared from £18 million to around £100 million; the Portuguese giants are reluctant to let Enzo go for a penny less than his eye-watering release clause.
Not that a nine-figure asking price is putting Liverpool off, however.
LIVERPOOL LEAD THE CHASE TO SIGN ARGENTINA’S WORLD CUP WINNER ENZO FERNANDEZ
According to La Capital, the Merseyside giants have already reached an agreement with Enzo’s camp. A claim now backed up by O Jogo. Liverpool also plans to match any other offer put forward by rival suitors, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Manchester United among those fluttering their eyelashes in the direction of a playmaking ‘genius’ likened to a young Zinedine Zidane.
Enzo is reportedly giving ‘priority’ to Liverpool.
The chance to become the most expensive signing in the history of one of Europe’s most storied footballing institutions is one that obviously appeals to Enzo. And, if his outstanding performances at the Qatar World Cup are anything to go by, he is not a man who bows to pressure.
Liverpool has an excellent working relationship with Benfica too. They negotiated an initial £64 million deal for Darwin Nunez just last summer.
“A big future,” Argentina captain Lionel Messi says of Fernandez, who started in Sunday’s final victory over France. “Enzo is very intelligent. He is a player with a lot of personalities and a good pass. Spectacular.”
“It’s absolutely surprising the level at which he plays. At only 21 years old,” adds one-time Real Madrid coach Jose Peseiro.
“The best player I worked with was Zidane, at Real Madrid. Of course, I don’t want to compare. But I’m talking about Enzo’s passing and surprising vision; a bit like Zidane.
“Enzo is 21 years old? Either that’s a lie, or he’s a genius!”
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