Argentine U20 starlet Julián Fernández has revealed that it is his “dream” to play for Liverpool, a revelation that has sparked excitement among Reds fans and raised eyebrows in the football world, particularly due to his current affiliation with New York City FC, a club that is part of the City Football Group. This group, which owns Manchester City, is home to several clubs worldwide, including Girona, Melbourne City, and Yokohama F. Marinos. Given this connection, Fernández’s public desire to join one of City’s main Premier League rivals has caused a stir.
Fernández, a 20-year-old winger, primarily plays on the right flank but enjoys cutting inside to use his stronger left foot, making him a versatile threat in attack. His career began at Argentine club Vélez Sarsfield, where he developed his skills before making a significant move to New York City FC in August 2023 for a fee of €4.5 million (£3.7m/$4.9m). Despite his young age, Fernández has already shown flashes of promise in Major League Soccer (MLS), contributing two goals and three assists in 24 appearances so far this season.
While those stats might not yet be jaw-dropping, Fernández is seen as a player with immense potential. His technical ability, dribbling skills, and tactical intelligence on the pitch are reasons why the City Football Group invested in him. The group has a history of nurturing young talents and helping them develop, either to strengthen Manchester City or be sold for profit. However, Fernández’s recent comments about Liverpool suggest that he may have different ambitions for his career.
When asked about his future, the young winger did not shy away from expressing his admiration for the Anfield club. Speaking to the *Liverpool Echo*, Fernández said, “Playing in Europe, especially for Liverpool, is my dream.” This statement has raised the possibility that he might be eyeing a future in Merseyside, despite his ties to the City Football Group. Many players in the City Group aim to eventually feature for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, with examples like Savinho, a Brazilian star who impressed on loan at Girona before securing a move to the Etihad Stadium. But Fernández could be charting a different course, one that leads him to Liverpool instead.
It remains to be seen whether Fernández will push for a move to Europe sooner rather than later, but his ambition to join Liverpool adds an intriguing dimension to his development. The Reds have a long history of attracting young South American talent, with players like Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez proving their worth at Anfield in recent seasons. Fernández could be another exciting addition to that list if his dream were to become a reality.
Interestingly, Fernández is not the only player recently linked with a move to Liverpool. Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has also reportedly set his sights on joining either Liverpool or Manchester City in the near future. The 19-year-old English talent is one of the brightest prospects in Europe and has already caught the attention of several top clubs. His speed, dribbling ability, and eye for goal have made him a highly sought-after player, and Liverpool could be a potential destination.
Bynoe-Gittens is not the only Dortmund star on Liverpool’s radar. The club is also reportedly interested in German defender Nico Schlotterbeck. The 24-year-old centre-back has been impressing at Dortmund, and Liverpool is said to have prepared a £41.7 million bid for the player. Schlotterbeck would bolster Liverpool’s defensive options, especially with the club looking for long-term solutions in central defense. Newcastle United is also monitoring Schlotterbeck as a potential backup option for Marc Guehi, but Liverpool is believed to be leading the race for his signature.
While Liverpool is actively scouting talent to improve their squad, not all players associated with the club have had smooth careers. Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keïta, who joined Werder Bremen on a free transfer in July 2023, has experienced a tumultuous time at his new club. Injuries have plagued Keïta’s tenure in Germany, and his relationship with manager Ole Werner has reportedly deteriorated. Werner recently suggested that it may be best for both parties to part ways, saying, “Keita is not our issue right now, and I believe that it’s best for both sides to simply look ahead and into the future.”
Keïta, however, insists that he is fit and ready to play, and he claims that the club is at fault for his lack of involvement with the first team. He has been training with Werder Bremen’s U23 squad, further indicating that his time at the club may be coming to an end. It’s a disappointing turn of events for the Guinean midfielder, whose potential was once highly touted during his time at RB Leipzig and Liverpool.
In the midst of all this, the football world will be keeping a close eye on the next steps for Julián Fernández. His dream to play for Liverpool may take time to materialize, but his talent, ambition, and current trajectory suggest that he could be one to watch in the coming years. If the Argentine winger continues to develop as expected, a move to Europe—and possibly to Liverpool—might not be far off. The next chapter of his career will be fascinating to follow, as he navigates his path within the competitive and ambitious framework of the City Football Group while holding onto his aspiration of one day pulling on the famous red shirt of Liverpool.