Liverpool Were Offered Enzo Fernandez for £15m Months Before Chelsea

A new report from respected journalist Paul Joyce of the Times has highlighted issues within Liverpool’s transfer department that led to missing out on signing Enzo Fernandez.

Fernandez, who was arguably the standout player in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, cost Chelsea over £100 million when they signed him in January. However, Joyce revealed that Liverpool could have signed the Argentine World Cup winner last summer for just £15 million but “demurred.”

Instead, Benfica signed Fernandez and sold him to Chelsea six months later for a massive profit. While Liverpool brought in some good central midfield signings this past summer, they are still left short in that area. Missing out on Fernandez exemplifies recent issues in Liverpool’s changing transfer approach.

As Joyce explained, “The Liverpool of 2017-2022 are very different to the club of 2022 onwards, not least in the behind-the-scenes changes that have led to the once-lauded think-tank fragmenting and departing.”

The instability of having three sporting directors in just over a year, with current director Jörg Schmadtke arriving after Julian Ward left following just one year replacing Michael Edwards, has coincided with the transfer market exploding at the very position Liverpool now needs to strengthen most – defensive midfield.

Joyce doesn’t reveal any new midfield targets Liverpool may be pursuing. With the club having already missed out on top targets in recent days, who they will turn to next remains a mystery.

Clearly there are issues in Liverpool’s transfer approach that need urgent fixing, though an easy solution is not apparent. Missing out on a talent like Fernandez for such a small fee is a glaring example of the current missteps occurring.