Enzo Fernandez will not leave Benfica unless an interested party meets his €120m release clause, 90min understands.
The 21-year-old has built on his growing reputation with a string of impressive performances at the World Cup and will have a chance to lift the trophy in Argentina’s sixth final on Sunday.
Fernandez only joined Benfica in the summer, amid interest from Manchester City, Manchester United and Wolves – who came close to joining – but reports elsewhere have recently suggested a move to Liverpool is the first choice. It has been agreed.
However, sources have told 90 Minutes that the Portuguese companies are unaware of any deal, and talk of a ‘done deal’ is premature.
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90 Minutes understands that Liverpool are monitoring Fernandez’s progress and have contacted the player’s representatives, but they have only registered their interest at this stage.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are also admirers of Fernandez’s talents, although Benfica have no desire to sell in January and the player himself is focused on winning the World Cup with Argentina.
Furthermore, Benfica have told Fernandez’s representatives that if he wants to leave the Estadio da Luz, one of the clubs interested in buying him will have to fully stump up his €120m release clause – That would make him their second most expensive export after Joao Felix.
Any deal around that figure would represent a significant profit for Benfica, who paid River Plate around €18 million when they signed him in June last year.