Wednesday, 5th February, 2014
Liverpool could become surprise beneficiaries of Manchester City's recent transfer failure, with the agent of Fernando potentially proving pivotal.
Manchester City were heavily linked with landing FC Porto duo Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando on deadline day, but failed over both players.
mobile ad
And according to Portuguese outlet Record, Fernando's attempts to engineer the move have not gone down well with the Porto leadership.
It remains to be seen if Fernando, who was left out of the game following deadline day supposedly due to injury, will be given a contract renewal beyond this summer.
relatedNewsStory
And any further breakdown in relations with Porto could hand Liverpool a lifeline, with Fernando's agent Antonio Araujo understood to be in contact with the Reds.
Araujo has not given up on rebuilding bridges with Porto, especially given that the other transfer target in Mangala had been included in the Saturday squad.
Porto coach Paulo Fonseca had claimed on deadline day that Fernando was "not irreplaceable", but has now played down the speculation around his omission.
"Fernando is still the same", he was quoted as saying. "He is a player in the process of recovery."
Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.
