Liverpool Eye Daniel Banjaqui as Andoni Iraola Weighs £30m Right-Back Move

Liverpool are assessing the right-back market carefully, and Daniel Banjaqui is emerging as one of the names attracting serious attention. According to TeamTalk, the Benfica teenager is being monitored closely amid growing interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea.

The 18-year-old is highly regarded in Portugal and has already built a strong reputation at youth level, having won both the UEFA Under-17 European Championship and the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. At club level, his progress is being managed in measured fashion. He has made two Primeira Liga starts this season and also featured for Benfica B, a clear sign that the Lisbon side see him as a long-term asset rather than a player ready for immediate weekly demands at the highest level.

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Right-back search gathers pace

Liverpool’s need in that area is understandable. Ronald Araujo has adapted well during his loan spell and has looked increasingly comfortable when used on the right, even though he arrived as a centre-back option. His performances have offered a useful short-term answer, while Jeremy Jacquet’s quicker-than-expected adjustment has helped shape selection decisions further back.

Even so, the wider picture points to a specialist right-back being required. Jeremie Frimpong has found consistency difficult, and Conor Bradley’s injury issues continue to leave uncertainty around availability and planning. That naturally places added focus on recruitment, particularly for a head coach who values energy, aggression and recovery speed in wide areas.

Why Banjaqui appeals to Iraola

Banjaqui appears to fit that profile. He is viewed as an attack-minded full-back with pace, power and a willingness to engage in duels. His defensive recovery has also been highlighted, which matters greatly in a system where full-backs are expected to cover ground quickly and contribute at both ends.

One line in the original report stands out: “Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is understood to be an admirer,”. That alone does not mean a deal is close, but it does indicate the player is more than a passing name on a scouting list.

Benfica stance and transfer reality

Any move would still be complicated. Benfica extended Banjaqui’s contract until 2031 in April, leaving them under no immediate pressure to sell. Their preference is understood to be continued development in Lisbon, and that makes complete sense for a player still taking his first senior steps.

The suggested valuation of around £30m to £33m would likely be the level needed to open meaningful talks. For Liverpool, that is a sizeable investment for potential rather than certainty. Interest is there, admiration is plausible, and the profile fits. For now, though, this feels like a situation to watch closely rather than one nearing a swift conclusion.

Our View

This is exactly the kind of report that sparks optimism, because the need at right-back is obvious and the profile sounds smart. Liverpool do not need a stop-gap, they need someone who can grow into the role and make it his own for years. An 18-year-old with elite youth pedigree, pace and attacking intent sounds like the sort of calculated gamble worth making.

There is also something encouraging about Iraola apparently identifying the player himself. That matters. Liverpool need signings that fit the coach’s football, not just names that look good in a data model or on a scout’s short list. If Banjaqui has been handpicked because his attributes suit the system, that gives the whole story more substance.

The price is steep, of course, especially for someone still breaking through. But that is the market now, and waiting too long often means paying even more later, or losing out entirely. Benfica are brilliant developers, so interest in one of their best young players is rarely random.

If Liverpool believe he can become the long-term answer, they should be bold. The squad needs freshness in that position, and this has the feel of a move that could make a lot of sense before the rest of Europe fully catches up.

Source: TeamTalk