TBR View: One year on, Liverpool should rekindle interest in Ferro

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This time last year, Liverpool were being heavily linked with a move for Benfica defender Ferro. Francisco Reis Ferreira, to give him his full name, was on Liverpool’s radar as a potential first-team target going forward, as reported by Record. 

The report claimed that Liverpool were scouting the player, along with Manchester City, after his breakthrough season in Lisbon. 

No deal ever happened, with Ferro having only made his Benfica debut a month earlier, it seemed time was necessary to assess the player.

But one year on, should Liverpool be interested in following up their previous Ferro interest. 

In a word, yes. 

The 22-year-old has been in fine form at the Estadio da Luz this season, establishing himself as a starting centre-back. He also earned his first call-up to the Portugal national team in September and was being tipped for a place in their Euro 2020 squad, before the recent postponement of the competition. 

Liverpool could use an extra centre-back. Whilst Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are exemplary Dejan Lovren is being linked with a move away whilst Joel Matip’s continued injury record is a concern. 

Of course, it would no longer be a cheap deal. Ferro was unknown a year ago but is now considered one of Europe’s top young players. 

He also signed a new deal at Benfica in October. As reported by Zero Zero, that deal contains a €100 million (£91m) release clause.

Quite the fee but if Liverpool could get Benfica to lower that asking price it would help create one of the best centre-back units in world football.