Day: December 30, 2022

Benfica insists they want to keep World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez until the end of the season amidst interest from Chelsea in the Argentinian.

The 21-year-old was the best young player at the World Cup as he inspired his nation to end their long wait to win the World Cup in Qatar.

The midfielder has now caught the attention of several clubs around the world, including the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea in England, who hope to close the deal next month.

However, Benfica wants him to stay until the end of the season unless a club triggers his release clause worth around £106m.

That fee is a lot to pay in January and a report on Matchplug reveals they have proposed a new deal to him to keep him with them. The club statement reads:

‘We insist our intention is to keep Enzo here until the end of the season’.

Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has penned an open letter to Cody Gakpo wishing him luck after the latter took his former shirt at Liverpool.

The Reds have just secured a deal to bring the ex-PSV man to Anfield and bolster their attack after losing Luis Diaz to yet another injury.

Gakpo was close to moving to the Premier League in the summer and he would have joined Leeds United after the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United pursued him.

After his fine World Cup, it seemed he will join Erik Ten Hag to sign him, but Liverpool moved fast and hijacked the move for the Netherlands international.

He has taken the number 18 shirt and Kuyt wished him luck. He wrote as quoted by Matchplug:

‘Cody Gakpo, welcome to @LFC.

‘This number has brought me lots of magic, and I hope it will bring you the same kinda magic too.