Report: Liverpool would need to pay £42.6m to sign World Cup star | OneFootball

Andreas Schjelderup Price Rise Leaves Liverpool With Transfer Decision to Make

Liverpool’s summer planning around the forward line looks set to include a closer examination of Andreas Schjelderup, with Benfica’s valuation now moving upwards after the winger’s strong World Cup exposure. Credit to Correio De Manha via Sport Witness, who report that any serious conversation would now begin at £42.6m, rather than the lower figure previously suggested.

That shift matters. Only weeks ago, Schjelderup was being discussed in the context of a fee around £25.6m, a level that would have placed him firmly in the category of emerging-market opportunity. Benfica’s stance now reflects two things, tournament visibility and their own internal belief that the 21-year-old can become a major asset.

Benfica stance hardens after World Cup

The Portuguese side appear in no rush to sell. Their new head coach Marco Silva is said to view Schjelderup as part of his plans, which is significant when assessing whether this is a negotiable opening position or a genuine attempt to deter suitors. Benfica have developed a reputation for holding firm when a player’s stock is rising, and Schjelderup’s profile has undoubtedly climbed.

There is another element in play. The winger is reportedly open to a move to England and has seemingly not committed to a fresh contract in Lisbon. That creates a degree of leverage for interested clubs, although Benfica’s business model rarely invites discounts once market demand becomes clear.

Liverpool transfer priorities under Andoni Iraola

For Liverpool, the debate is less about whether Schjelderup is talented and more about where he fits in the queue of needs. Andoni Iraola has already signalled a desire for added attacking depth, and that aligns with the shape of the squad. Yet squad-building is rarely as simple as collecting good players where value appears.

Schjelderup has operated predominantly from the left. That is an area where Liverpool already possess options, while the right side feels less naturally stocked in senior terms. If recruitment staff believe the Norwegian can adapt across the line, the case becomes stronger. If they see him as mainly a left-sided attacker, the question becomes whether £42.6m is the smartest use of resources in this window.

Schjelderup transfer could hinge on flexibility

At that price, Liverpool would not be excluded, far from it. The fee is meaningful, but not prohibitive for a club operating at the top end of the Premier League. The issue will be priority and profile. Schjelderup looks like a player on the rise, technically sharp, mobile, and increasingly visible. Whether that translates into a formal move may depend on how Liverpool rank him against other wide targets.

For now, Benfica have reset the market and Liverpool must decide whether the new number still represents value.

Our View

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the kind of report that sparks curiosity. Schjelderup feels like one of those names that sits just below the global superstar bracket but has the talent to climb quickly. That can be a smart place to shop, especially when a player is young, ambitious and seemingly attracted by the idea of playing in England.

The concern is the positional balance. Liverpool do need more from the wide areas, but another left-sided option does not immediately scream urgency when compared to the right flank. That does not mean the club should walk away. Good recruitment teams often think one or two windows ahead, and if Schjelderup is seen as someone who can develop into a major asset, then the fee may still make sense.

There is also a wider point. Benfica raising the price to £42.6m could be frustrating, but it is hardly shocking. Strong tournament performances always shift negotiations. If Liverpool really like the player, paying a bit more now may be preferable to watching another Premier League side take him and seeing the price double in a year.

Personally, this is one to watch. It may not be the most obvious move on paper, but there is enough logic in the link to keep supporters intrigued, especially if Iraola wants a more dynamic and flexible attacking group.

Source: Correio De Manha via Sport Witness