Liverpool are at the forefront of the pursuit for Bruno Fernandes after reportedly making a £40million bid, according to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha.

The Reds are not alone in their pursuit of the midfield maestro with interest also said within the report to be coming from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom will be hoping to improve on a relatively disappointing season in the Premier League which left them trophy-less and well behind the front-runners.

However, while clearly United possess the financial clout (they and neighbours City are the richest teams in England, according to new figures from the latest Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance via the MEN) to go head-to-head with anyone, it seems the Champions League-winners have made the first move.

Indeed, any deal would make sense, as well.

For all their quality in the forward positions, Liverpool are short of attacking threat in a midfield unit which currently consists of Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum – the last of whom many might consider to be the most offensively minded individual (the Guardian raised that point back in January), and he’s only grabbed five goals and one assist this season.

Compare that to Fernandes, who helped himself to a mammoth 32 goals and 18 assists last term, and the benefits are clear for all to see. Last summer's interest in Nabil Fekir does suggest Klopp believes his team could do with a hand in attacking midfield and former captain Graeme Souness bemoaned the lack of a player who can break teams down during March's tense draw with Everton at Goodison Park, so there is a strong argument for a new addition.

Yes, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's return is good news on that front but Fernandes' stats this season are another level entirely. Part of Liverpool's success last season was largely down to the improvements in their squad outside of the starting XI, so more investment such as this one can help fuel another challenge for the Premier League title.

Liverpool fans, would you like to sign Fernandes? How devastating would a forward line-up of Mane, Salah, Firmino and Fernandes be? Could this be a Salah-like introduction? Let us know in the comments below...