Media Digest: Jude Bellingham supposedly has a bargain release clause while Liverpool are also said to be ‘advancing’ for another mega transfer deal for a midfielder.
Speaking after a PSV victory in the Europa League earlier this season, Robin van Persie told BT Sport exactly what whoever signed Cody Gakpo was getting — and it appears that will be Liverpool.
“[Gakpo] is a good player,” he said. “He always finds a way in most games to have an influence, in terms of making an assist or a goal, he’s always dangerous.
He is not really an out-and-out striker. He can play as a number 10, he can play on the wing, or as a false striker, he can play in those four positions in front. He has a good physique, he is strong, fast, he can dribble. He is an all-round player.”
Jude Bellingham ‘release clause’
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has an ‘unconfirmed’ release clause of £60m ($72m/€68m) in his contract, according to the Daily Mail, who report that the England star could move for far less than initially thought (though quite what they mean by ‘unconfirmed’ remains to be seen).
Dortmund had been demanding a figure of close to £134m ($160m/€150m) but that report would suggest he could be picked up for a bargain fee of less than half of that sum.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all said to be in the conversation, but Liverpool, the same report says, are leading the chase for the 19-year-old.
Enzo Fernández advances
Liverpool have ‘advanced’ in talks to sign Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernández, according to O Jogo, with Manchester United also interested and a January sale considered ‘increasingly possible’.
Benfica have already turned down a £88m ($106m/€100m) bid, according to the report, with the Portuguese outfit holding out for the full £105m ($128m/€120m) release clause.
Asked about the possibility of him leaving earlier this week, Fernández himself said: “At this moment, I don’t know anything about that; it’s a matter for my representative. I don’t want to get involved in the topic. I’m focused on Benfica and in a few days we have a game ahead.”
