Premier League leaders Liverpool have been handed a huge transfer blow after they were rebuffed in their £61m bid to sign one of the most exciting young players in Portuguese football.
According to Portuguese media outlet Correio da Manha, Liverpool made a stunning £61m (€70m) bid for young attacking midfielder Joao Felix only for the Reds to be turned down by his club in their quest to sign the teenager.
Joao Felix plays his club football for Portuguese Super League giants Benfica at the moment.
The 19-year-old has been attracting the interest of several Premier League clubs according to various reports in the British media.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City are all said to be interested in the Portugal u-21 international star.
It was revealed that Benfica immediately turned down the £61m bid from the Reds.
The Liverpool bid is a far cry from the £105m release clause in the recently signed contract on the part of the young Portuguese attacking player.
Joao Felix is definitely one for the future but the Reds may need to break their transfer record if they are serious about snapping up the youngster in this January transfer window.
Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk is the club’s most expensive signing following his £75m transfer from Southampton in January 2018.
