AS journalist Manu Sainz has suggested that Liverpool have a “pre-agreement” to sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

Speaking on Universo Mundial (quoted via ABOLA), Sainz claimed that Real Madrid have not even bothered entering the race for the Argentinian international due to the Reds’ involvement.

Not much further detail is given, other than it is likely that Fernandez would make a move to Anfield next summer, rather than during the January transfer window.

Benfica are very reluctant to lose the 21-year-old so soon after signing him. The player has a €120m (£103m) release clause and 25% of any future transfer fee will be owed to his previous team River Plate.

With that in mind, if Liverpool do secure Fernandez, they could be spending in excess of £200m on two midfielders, if they manage to snap up Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund as well.

Whether Sainz’s information on Fernandez is accurate, we shall have to wait and see. In addition to Liverpool and Real, Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the midfielder.