DONE DEAL: Man United beat Liverpool to complete the signing of £104m Portuguese star ‘recommended’ by Cristiano Ronaldo with Erik Ten Hag keen to bring him to Old Trafford

Erik Ten Hag is eager to get the £104 million Portuguese star, “recommended” by Cristiano Ronaldo, to Old Trafford, and Man United is expected to defeat Liverpool to complete the deal.

According to reports, Liverpool could sign a Portugal international who was recommended by Cristiano Ronaldo before Manchester United could.

January is not expected to be a big month for either club, with United in particular having FFP restrictions during the window.

However, since Joel Matip’s season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Fulham last month, the Reds have been linked to a center-back acquisition.

Additionally, manager Jurgen Klopp was unable to select a center back from the bench for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round victory over Arsenal due to Virgil van Dijk’s illness. As a result, Joe Gomez filled in for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas at left back.

The Daily Mail claims that Liverpool has sent scouts to watch Benfica wonderkid Antonio Silva, who at the age of just 20 is one of the best defenders in Portugal.

The right-footed center-back is an important member of Benfica’s team and is currently ranked as the best defender in Liga Portugal for passing accuracy (according to WhoScored).

Along with ranking highly in tackles and blocks per ninety minutes, he is also predicted to be one of the world’s best football players in the future.

After Erik ten Hag took over at United in 2022, the Daily Mirror revealed that Silva was well-liked by both Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford because they had both played with the young defender for the Portuguese national team.

Ousmane Diomande, a center back for Sporting Lisbon who will play for Ivory Coast at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, is another option for Liverpool.

Alongside Goncalo Inacio, who the Reds are reportedly also interested in, and former Liverpool center-back Sebastian Coates, the 20-year-old has been a regular in the Sporting squad this season. He has reportedly also been watched by Arsenal and Newcastle.