Two Argentine midfield stars have drawn interest from Liverpool, according to reports.
Despite undergoing a significant midfield makeover in the summer that saw the departures of club captain and vice captain Jordan Henderson and James Milner, as well as established stars Fabinho, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the additions of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch, the Reds are still linked with additional players in the centre of the park.
Both of the most recent names to be associated with Liverpool are from Argentina; the first report was provided by Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ezequiel Fernandez, a star for Boca Juniors, is reportedly getting interest from AC Milan and Benfica in addition to the Reds, according to an Italian publication.
The 21-year-old is an intriguing defensive midfielder who, according to a Gazzetta article, idolises Sergio Busquets, a position Liverpool may still be searching for.
There are concerns regarding the Reds’ lack of depth in the ‘number six’ position after spending £145 million on new midfield players this summer.
Jurgen Klopp has chosen Mac Allister above fellow newcomer Endo as his deepest-lying midfielder thus far in 2023–24.
The optimum position for Mac Allister has been hotly contested, and at 30 years old, Endo doesn’t seem like a long-term fix. The Spanish team of Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago is now sidelined with injuries.
SHOWDOWN OF COPA LIBERTADORES
As far as Anfield Watch is aware, Liverpool are still interested in signing Fluminense’s Andre Trindade, and they would take priority in completing a transfer for the 22-year-old in January when his Copa Libertadores campaign is over.
Coincidentally, Andre and Fernandez will square off in the Copa Libertadores final when Fluminense plays Boca at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro next month.
The championship game may provide Liverpool with another chance to check up on the two stars.
Although it is mentioned that Fernandez is under contract until 2025, the cost of Fernandez is not included in Gazzetta’s report.
HIGH HONOUR
Former Boca great and current Liverpool player Mac Allister is an admirer of Fernandez.
Earlier this year, the Reds’ number 10 told TyC Sports in a statement that he was still a Brighton player: “If you ask me a little more about my style, there is a player that I particularly respect and that is Equi Fernández. He is a player that has every opportunity to travel to Europe one day, and I sincerely hope that it does.
“He is a player I really admire and he knows the game well. He can play as a five or an inside player, plays with both legs, and is always ready to receive the ball. He is a player with some extremely favourable circumstances, and if Brighton asked, I would mention his name.”
SALAH’S LATEST SUCCESSOR?
Argentinians are being linked to Liverpool in addition to Fernandez.
According to Calcio Mercato, the Reds and Chelsea are both keeping an eye on Fiorentina’s Nico Gonzalez.
Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch the right winger “on several occasions” despite the 25-year-old just recently signing a new contract with La Viola.
Fiorentina, who rejected down a €43 million (£37.5 million) offer from Brentford during the summer, reportedly wants between €55 million (£48 million) and €60 million (£52.5 million) to sell their star player, who has five goals in six Serie A starts so far this season.
Gonzalez, who has 25 caps for the Argentina seniors, might be considered as a potential Mohamed Salah replacement, should the Egyptian depart for the Saudi Pro League next summer. Fernandez would be brought in to handle the “number six” depth.
As rumours about Salah’s future swirl, Liverpool has been connected with a number of attacking targets, including Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich.
Anfield Watch is aware that the Reds have also been keeping an eye on Mousa Tamari of Montpellier, but they see the Jordanian forward as an addition to Salah rather than a replacement.