Meet the Portuguese youngster Liverpool are fighting Benfica for
Published:Liverpool gave their fans a glimpse of the future during their epic Capital One Cup clash with Middlesbrough, by fielding youngster Jordan Rossiter from the start and bringing on Suso and Jordan Williams from the bench.
While this proves the club are well stocked with both Jordans and talent, they are continually looking to invest in youth and that’s certainly apparent in the latest transfer rumours surrounding the Merseyside outfit.
Using the club’s extensive scouting network in Portugal, the Reds have been keeping a close eye on Belenenses youngster Fabio Sturgeon.
The 20-year-old midfielder has been the reason for visiting Liverpool scouts on several occasions over the course of this season, in which he has made five appearances for the Lisbon-based club.
Sat comfortably in mid-table after seven games, Sturgeon has played his part in helping Belenenses establish that standing having scored after six minutes in his side’s 3-1 win over Penafiel in the season’s opener.
Having been part of O Belem’s first team since 2011, the Almada native has only managed to make 20 appearances for the club but has still attracted attention in that time.
Benfica are challenging the Reds for the Portugal U20 international’s signature, but it’s thought that the player would prefer a move to the Premier League instead.
The fact he is eligible to play for England, through his father’s nationality, could play a significant factor in that desire, but a look at the career path of Tiago Ilori (another English-qualified Portuguese) should inform Sturgeon that a degree of patience will be needed if he’s to make an Anfield debut.
Ilori was signed for the 10/11 top-four shots last year but is yet to appear for the Merseyside outfit and has been loaned to Granada and Bordeaux since.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.
