Liverpool’s January business underlined just how determined the club are to future‑proof their defence, and that theme is already spilling over into the summer rumour mill.
In the winter window the Reds focused heavily on youth at the back, wrapping up deals for towering Austria Wien centre‑back Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Senegal U17 standout Mor Talla Ndiaye and Burnley prospect Noah Adekoya, all 19 or under and viewed as long‑term projects rather than instant starters.
Those additions join Parma’s Giovanni Leoni, who arrived last summer, creating a cluster of teenage and early‑20s defenders in the pipeline as Liverpool plan for life beyond Virgil van Dijk
Now attention appears to be turning from the centre of defence to the right flank, with reports in Portugal claiming Liverpool are in the mix for Benfica’s highly rated full‑back Daniel Banjaqui.
According to A Bola, relayed by Sport Witness, the 17‑year‑old has attracted serious interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea after breaking through for the Lisbon giants and starring at the recent Under‑17 World Cup. Banjaqui, a 179cm right‑back born in March 2008, has already logged first‑team minutes for Benfica and is regarded as one of the brightest talents in their academy, combining recovery pace with the composure to step into midfield and join attacks.
Benfica’s response has been predictable for a club that thrives on developing and selling at a premium.
A Bola report that the Eagles are moving to “lock down” Banjaqui when he turns 18 with a new contract running to 2031, increasing his current release clause from around €30m to an hefty €80m as a warning to suitors.
Liverpool and Chelsea are therefore monitoring rather than advancing, aware that any formal move would require either triggering that figure or persuading Benfica to negotiate, something they rarely do with prized teenagers.
The defender has already turned out three times for Benfica’s senior side, having been given his debut by José Mourinho in a Portuguese Cup tie away at Farense in December. Since then, Banjaqui has added two Primeira Liga outings.
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