Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with Benfica over a move for highly-rated midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The 21-year-old attracted the attention of the Portuguese giants during his time at River Plate, and he has continued to go from strength to strength in Europe.
Fernandez has also emerged as a breakout star of the 2022 World Cup, producing a string of impressive midfield performances to help La Albiceleste reach the semi-finals.
Fernandez is under contract with Benfica until the end of the 2026-27 season, and it could supposedly take upwards of £100m for the Portuguese giants to sanction a sale.
Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for the Argentina international as they look to beef up their midfield in 2023, while Real Madrid and Manchester United have also been tipped to make offers.
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According to Portuguese outlet Record, Liverpool have now stepped up their interest in signing Fernandez after watching him at the World Cup and have contacted Benfica over a possible move.
Fernandez recorded 12 goals and 10 assists in 53 matches for River Plate before making the move to Benfica in the summer transfer window, having won the Copa Sudamericana, Recopa Sudamericana and Argentine top-flight title in his homeland.
The midfielder immediately became a starter for the Eagles and has made 24 appearances in his debut season, scoring three goals and setting up five more in the process.
Fernandez's form earned him a call-up to Lionel Scaloni's Argentina World Cup squad, and he scored his side's second against Mexico before also claiming an assist against Poland in the group stage.
The Benfica man has since played every minute against Australia and the Netherlands in the knockout rounds and will be expected to start in Tuesday's semi-final with Croatia.
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A new face in the engine room will likely be a priority for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, especially with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain due to depart as free agents next summer.
The Reds held off on making a big-money move for a new midfielder in the summer transfer window, but a deadline-day move for Arthur was sanctioned in the wake of injuries to Keita, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
However, the Juventus loanee had not even made his Premier League debut before sustaining a serious thigh issue of his own, and Liverpool are not expected to exercise their option to make his stay permanent.
Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham is believed to be at the top of Liverpool's shopping list, but the 19-year-old is another player who would command a nine-figure sum to make the move to Anfield.
Nevertheless, Liverpool are now thought to be ahead of Real Madrid in the race to sign Bellingham, although Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has publicly declared his interest in the England teenager.
Ben Knapton
