Benfica Snub Liverpool Bid

Liverpool have reportedly seen a £62million bid rejected by Benfica for 19-year-old forward Joao Felix.

Felix has scored four goals in nine Premeira Liga matches, four of which were starts, and has one further strike in the Taca de Liga for Benfica so far this season.

A host of top European clubs have been linked with the Benfica starlet in recent months and, according to Portugal’s Correio da Manha, the Reds have made the first move but their 70million euros [£62m] bid has been knocked back.

The teenager signed a new deal with the Lisbon outfit in November and is under contract until 2023.

Felix’s deal is understood to have a 119m euros [£105m] release clause in his deal and although Liverpool may not have to match that figure to secure a deal they will have to up their initial bid if they are to tempt Benfica.

The Reds are not alone in their interest, with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United said to be keen.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is thought to be keen to bolster his attacking options in January and Italian reports this week have claimed Lazio’s Ciro Immobile is another target, with Reds scouts expected to attend the Rome club’s trip to Napoli on Sunday to keep tabs on the striker.