The chances are that Premier League giants Liverpool will have a new record signing at some point in 2023.
Whether it be Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham or Benfica’s World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Jurgen Klopp seem intent on putting their money where their mouth is as they chase an elite-level midfielder capable of jolting an ageing an engine room into life.
With Real Madrid moving into pole position for Bellingham’s sought-after signature – The Sun believe there is a confidence at the Santiago Bernabeu that the England international will arrive in the New Year – Liverpool appear to be going all-in on Enzo instead.
A number of different publications have claimed, over the last couple of days, that a deal between Liverpool and the Benfica playmaker is all-but agreed already. O Jogo, say, insist that 21-year-old Enzo is giving priority to the six-time European champions; a big-money move from Lisbon to Liverpool looking increasingly likely.
Who are Liverpool’s record signings?
As things stand, the transfer fee remains unconfirmed. Some have suggested that Enzo will become Liverpool’s first £100 million footballer. Portuguese website Bola na Rede, meanwhile, believe a deal can be done for closer to £85 million.
Either way, the one-time Wolves target should soon become the biggest, most expensive acquisition in Liverpool’s 130 year history.
Their current record signing remains one Virgil van Dijk; a £75 million addition from Southampton. January represents Van Dijk’s fifth-year anniversary as a Liverpool player. In that time, the totemic Dutchman has won seven trophies, including the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League.
Darwin Nunez, who left Benfica in the same summer that Enzo arrived, comes in at second. Liverpool paid an initial £64 million for the Uruguayan striker. Alisson Becker and Naby Keita both arrived for fees in excess of £50 million, meanwhile. Luis Diaz, Fabinho and Diogo Jota fall into the £40 – £50 million bracket.
Enzo Fernandez, named Young Player of the Tournament at the Qatar World Cup, could fly straight to the top of the leaderboard.
“(Enzo has) A big future,” Argentina captain Lionel Messi says of Fernandez. “He is very intelligent. He is a player with a lot of personality, a good pass. Spectacular.”
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