Sources: Phillips and Raphinha not the only Leeds players Liverpool tracked over last 12 months

Liverpool have been tracking Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph Fernandez over the past 12 months, LeedsLive report.

Leeds duo Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha were wanted by West Ham towards the end of the January transfer window, however, as we know, the pair remained at Elland Road.

The two Whites stars have also been linked with Liverpool in recent months. Reports last month claimed that the Reds have been tracking Raphinha and they have also been linked with a £33.4m bid for Phillips.

However, it’s not just the English midfielder and Brazilian winger they have had their eyes on at Thorp Arch.

Leeds’ only January signing was Fernandez, who penned a three-and-a-half-year deal at Elland Road from Espanyol and will initially join up with the club’s Under-23s.

According to sources from Espanyol, relayed by LeedsLive, Liverpool and the three Spanish giants had all been keeping tabs on the award-winning 18-year-old over the past 12 months.

With Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid also interested in the forward prior to his move to Yorkshire, it seems as if Victor Orta could have landed a major coup for the Whites.

Leeds have reaped the rewards of a young forward initially linking up with the club’s academy in Joe Gelhardt, who now seems to be a first-team squad member rather than an Under-23’s star.

Therefore, Fernandez could end up taking Gelhardt’s place in Mark Jackson’s side until the end of the season – should he impress at Thorp Arch, he could be the next talent to break into Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.

In other news: ‘Nice to see’, ‘Go on’ – Leeds reporters Phil Hay and Graham Smyth buzzing at free transfer news

Source