Chelsea and Spurs are on high alert, but Liverpool have been handed a massive advantage after this World Cup wonderkid took extreme measures to force a move.
With the World Cup showcasing some of the finest talents on the World biggest stage, Liverpool’s recruitment team are already working to find their next gems.
Newly appointed Head coach Andoni Iraola is determined to reshape his squad, and the Reds have already been busy, bringing in Spanish winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna and welcoming French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet.
But the rebuilding job is far from over. Liverpool still need a right-back, a central midfielder, and another dynamic winger especially after missing out on Yan Diomande, who chose to prioritise Paris Saint-Germain as his preferred destination which is a blow as the Reds are looking for a player to succeed Mohamed Salah after his own departure at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Now, a new name has entered the frame. Norway’s World Cup breakout star, Andreas Schjelderup, is heavily on Liverpool’s radar. In a massive boost for his Premier League admirers, the winger has reportedly snubbed a lucrative contract offer to force a dream move to England.
The World Cup star who said ‘no’ to Benfica
Schjelderup has made his intentions crystal clear. Benfica desperately tried to tie down the 22-year-old talent to a new three-year contract extension worth a whopping €18 million (£15.5 million) in total.
According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manhã, Schjelderup flatly rejected the proposal. While fellow Portuguese publication A Bola presents the situation with a bit more caution stating that renewal talks have simply become “increasingly difficult” both sources agree on one thing: the player is seriously pushing for a summer exit.
The Premier League has long been described as his dream destination, and Benfica’s not having qualified for Champions League football this season is only pushing him closer to the exit door. Chelsea and Tottenham are also lurking, but the lure of playing under Iraola at Anfield is a massive selling point.
Luring the Norwegian starlet away though from Lisbon won’t come cheap, especially after his impressive performances on the world stage. Schjelderup was a shining light for Norway, notably assisting Erling Haaland twice in a stunning victory over Brazil before scoring an absolute screamer of a cross-turned-shot against England in the quarter-finals.
Before the tournament kicked off, Benfica were willing to talk business at around €40 million (£34.4 million). Some reports even suggested a deal could have been struck for as low as £25.6 million.
Now? The game has changed. Thanks to his tournament exposure, Benfica have bumped their asking price up to a minimum of €50 million (£43 million), refusing to even negotiate for anything less. While he has a massive €100 million (£86 million) release clause, Benfica know his value is at an all-time high.
At £43 million, the fee is well within Liverpool’s reach. The real dilemma is tactical.
Schjelderup is a magnificent, technically gifted player who loves to cut inside from the left wing. However, the left side of Liverpool’s attack is already heavily congested. The Reds just signed Victor Munoz, and they already have Cody Gakpo operating in those exact same half-spaces.
With the search for a natural right-sided heir to Mohamed Salah still ongoing after the Diomande disappointment, spending over £40 million on another left-sided forward raised some eyebrows. If Liverpool’s scouting department believes Schjelderup has the tactical flexibility to play across the front line including on the right—the transfer makes perfect sense. If not, it could be a costly luxury.
Live4Liverpool verdict
There is no denying that Andreas Schjelderup is a special talent. He is young, incredibly ambitious, and hungry to prove himself in England. His rejection of a £15.5m contract at Benfica shows a player who is willing to back himself to succeed at the highest level.
Yes, the £43 million price tag is a classic “World Cup tax,” but in today’s market, that is still relatively decent value for a 22-year-old on a steep upward trajectory.
