Any agreement for Bellingham, though, may have to wait until the summer. But, with money to spend, Liverpool is apparently poised to make one big deal in the January transfer season.
While they are interested in other midfielders, rumors in the Portuguese press suggest that their first addition in 2023 will be a defender.
Indeed, the Reds have tentatively been linked in the past with Benfica defender Antonio Silva. The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the most outstanding talents to emerge in Portugal over recent years. And such is his burgeoning reputation, he was included in his country’s 26-man World Cup squad.
He has only made one appearance thus far, in the last group game, a 2-1 loss to South Korea. However, A Bola now alleges that Liverpool has ‘actual interest’ in signing him.
Furthermore, according to the Portuguese outlet, Liverpool will hold firm talks with Benfica after his World Cup experience concludes.
Silva is apparently on the market for £45 million, with A Bola speculating that talks will “resume after the tournament is complete.”
While Silva does not appear in our list of the top ten most valuable adolescents in world football, Jamie Carragher has already praised him.
Speaking after Benfica’s 2-1 win over Juventus in the Champions League last month, Carragher was soon purring over the teenager.
“The first goal comes from that young defender I mentioned a few weeks ago. “I told you everything you needed to know about him, and there he is Antonio Silva,” Carragher told CBS Sports.
“I mentioned his defensive abilities. But there was also goal-scoring. He’s going to be a big star.”
Liverpool already has solid links with the Portuguese giants after signing Darwin Nunez this summer. The Reds paid an initial cost of £63 million for the Uruguay striker, which may rise to £85 million if he proves to be a success.
