Liverpool could sign both Bellingham and Fernandez even without new owners, here's how

Liverpool could sign both Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernandez even if owners Fenway Sports Group are unable to sell the club.

The Reds desperately need to revitalise their ageing midfield; Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara have suffered a number of niggling injuries throughout the current campaign, while Fabinho has been woefully out of form this term.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been linked with an ambitious move for England star Jude Bellingham, though Borussia Dortmund are said to want a massive £130million for the 19-year-old.

Meanwhile reports from Portuguese outlet Record and Diario AS in Spain claim that highly rated Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez has reached a pre-agreement with the Reds.

If that were the case the Anfield club would likely have to pay a substantial fee for the 21-year-old, who allegedly has a release clause of £103million in his Benfica contract.

Can Liverpool sign Bellingham and Fernandez?

Given the price of both players, and with FSG reportedly keen to sell the club, Liverpool fans have questioned whether either deal can be secured.

However, football finance expert Mo Chatra detailed in a Twitter thread how the Anfield club could sign BOTH players through staggered payments

Chatra explained: “IF Liverpool were to sign Jude Bellingham and Enzo Fernández at a combined cost of £200m or more, financing the deals would be feasible. Signing both would not require the full amounts to be paid at once to Dortmund and Benfica respectively.

“Fernández has a reported release clause of €120m (£103m). This isn't necessarily the same as a buyout clause where a specified figure has to be paid in full 'by the player' (though really by the purchasing club)- there can be scope for negotiation of the fee structure.

“In addition, though Fernández's release clause might be set at €120m, Liverpool would still be able to negotiate the fee down to a lesser amount if Benfica were open to this.

“If for the sake of argument, Liverpool agreed to sign both players for €120m each (£206m combined), Liverpool could structure both deals to be paid over three instalments. This could work out at £82.4m initially and then £61.8m after a year and another £61.8m the following year.”

To demonstrate such a deal would be in the club’s means without the need for direct investment, Chatra continued: “Liverpool spent the following amounts towards 'acquisition of player registrations' (i.e. transfer fees) in 17/18 - 19/20 (figures taken from the club's accounts): 17/18- £154m, 18/19- £174m, 19/20- £122m. That was £450m in outlay during just three years.

Jude Bellingham against France on Saturday (Shutterstock)

“That was in years when the club's turnover was: 17/18- £455m, 18/19- £533m, 19/20- £490m. Turnover for 2021/22 is expected to be in the region of £600m when it is publicly announced in a few weeks' time.

“In terms of existing commitments (i.e. transfer fee debt), the only deals that still won't be paid off will be the ones for Diaz, Konate, Nunez and a handful of low-value signings- but payments for those deals falling into 2022/23 are likely to amount to less than £100m.

“From a cash flow perspective, funds should be available from last summer when the Tchouameni deal fell through and a permanent alternative signing was not secured (it was never a case of Tchouameni OR Nunez).

“Of course, it's possible neither deal materialises- but all Reds will be hoping the club can pull off a blinder and get both deals done (whether in January or in the summer).”

Topics: Football, Jude Bellingham, Benfica, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Argentina, England

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.