Jurgen Klopp pestering FSG about specific big-money Liverpool signing amid Man Utd £105m bid reports

Jurgen Klopp is in constant contact with Liverpool chiefs about their talks for Benfica star Enzo Fernandez, amid rivals Manchester United reportedly drawing up plans to submit a bid for him.

Fernandez is expected to achieve a big transfer away from Benfica in the new year following his top World Cup campaign with Argentina. The central midfielder featured in every game as Argentina won the World Cup for the first time since 1986, giving Lionel Messi a fantastic end to his World Cup career.

Benfica would love to keep Fernandez for the rest of the season as he is crucial to their hopes of a successful campaign. But in the end the money will likely prove to be too enticing.

For the past few weeks, Liverpool have been viewed as the frontrunners for the Primeira Liga ace. He is Klopp’s top transfer target, with Jude Bellingham apparently leaning towards a Real Madrid move.

And on December 12, there were even reports in Portugal that Fernandez had reached a pre-contract agreement with the Reds.

Now though, Liverpool are facing big competition from English rivals Man Utd for the signing. Erik ten Hag’s side joined the race on Friday. And they are even ready to match his Benfica release clause with a €120m (£105.7m) offer.

Football Insider provide an insight on what is going on at Anfield in the transfer department right now. They claim Klopp is pestering Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group about the potential capture of Fernandez and how the finances of the deal will work. The manager is thought to be ‘calling every day’ about when Liverpool’s midfield revamp will begin.

Klopp is willing to help in whatever way possible to get a deal over the line. One way he could do this is to ring Fernandez and try and convince him on the Liverpool move.

Jurgen Klopp reacts to Jude Bellingham question

Ahead of Liverpool’s match against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, Klopp was asked specifically about Bellingham’s potential arrival. He laughed it off and said: “In January? I’m the wrong person to answer that.”

However, the German did add that recruitment chiefs are ‘looking’ to bolster the midfield area. “January, in our situation, is a window from a sports side we are always prepared. It’s always clear what kind of ideas we have or how the necessity is from our point of view,” he said.

“All the rest doesn’t lie 100 per cent in our hands. And we always work with what we’ve got, and that will not change.

“You can imagine the situation we are in that we are probably looking. If something happens, we will see.”

Bellingham, Fernandez – either would improve Liverpool

Bellingham would be an incredible signing for Liverpool. He is only 19 years old but is already a big leader at Dortmund and a regular in the England starting eleven.

But with Bellingham in Real’s sights, Liverpool may have to turn towards Fernandez. Previously, this would have left Liverpool fans disappointed.

But Fernandez proved at the World Cup that he can dominate the midfield on the biggest stage of all. So him being a backup is still a great option for Liverpool to have.

They now just need to ward off Man Utd and submit a massive bid of their own to get Benfica to sell.

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk understands Liverpool and Tottenham are among the English clubs preparing to send an Inter Milan ace a contract offer.