Liverpool prepared to pay £104m launch clause for Benfica midfielder

Liverpool have already been linked with one Benfica midfielder; now it appears they’ve shifted their sights to a different. Additionally: Man Utd are amongst three in for Victor Osimhen…

LIVERPOOL EYE BENFICA MIDFIELDER
We will anticipate an extended line of midfielders to be linked with Liverpool between now and subsequent summer time. Jude Bellingham is their primary target however there’s a now lengthy queue of golf equipment at Borussia Dortmund’s door, a few of whom the Reds can have you imagine they will’t compete with financially.

So Liverpool should contemplate options and some have been talked about. Enzo Fernandez is one, however now it appears Jurgen Klopp’s eye has wandered throughout the Benfica dressing room.

O Jogo says Florentino Luis has been contacted a few attainable transfer earlier than subsequent season. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has began 11 of Benfica’s 13 home and European video games this time period and solely not too long ago signed a brand new contract. However the story goes that Liverpool are ready to pay the £104million launch clause to land the previous Portugal Below-21 worldwide.

POCH WANTED BY VILLA IF AXE FALLS ON GERRARD 
One ex-Liverpool midfielder is in a spot of trouble at Aston Villa…

Steven Gerrard is combating to maintain his job after a poor begin to the present season adopted an underwhelming finish to the final one. On Monday night time, one outlet went so far as to assert that Gerrard had already been sacked, a narrative that was rapidly dismissed by Villa’s head of communications.

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— Tommy Jordan (@tommyjordanav) October 17, 2022

But it surely appears one thing is afoot, with Villa a minimum of contemplating their choices ought to they really feel the necessity to dispense with the previous Rangers boss. The Telegraph reckons Gerrard has been given two games to save his skin – the trip to Fulham on Thursday earlier than a house sport in opposition to Brentford on Sunday. Ought to Villa fail to bail out their boss, then Mauricio Pochettino is the first goal to return in.

MAN UTD, ARSENAL AMONG TRIO LEADING OSIMHEN RACE
Manchester United might do with a goalscorer proper now however it appears the Crimson Devils are content material to attend till the tip of the season. On Monday, Tammy Abraham was a reported target; at present, United are being linked with a transfer for Victor Osimhen.

Fichajes says the Napoli striker is seen as the best striker for Erik ten Hag’s wants, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich making up the three sides stated to be main the race.

All three, although, is perhaps p*ssing within the wind. “He has an extended contract with Napoli,” Osimhen’s agent has informed native radio in Naples. “The market is dynamic, however our will is to proceed at Napoli and proceed to do effectively.”

The 23-year-old does certainly have a loads of time left on his present deal – he’s tied down till 2025. However experiences counsel Osimhen’s launch clause is within the area of £85million, which can be tempting for the likes of United, Arsenal and Bayern.

Learn extra: Big Midweek: Man Utd v Spurs, Villa, Brendan, Darwin Nunez, Arsenal