Latest Liverpool transfer news as the club reportedly scout the son of former Brazil and Real Madrid star Robinho
Robinho Jr (C) and Neymar (R) prepare to take free kick
Robinho Jr and Neymar of Santos(Image: Rebeca Schumacker/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
Liverpool are reportedly scouting the son of former Brazilian Real Madrid and Manchester City star Robinho. Such a move would mark a remarkable change in tack from the club who broke the British transfer record twice over the course of the recent summer window.
Robinho Jnr, also known as Juninho, is 17 years of age and has made his first three senior appearances for Santos in the Brazilian Serie A in 2025. He is therefore in the extremely early days of the same career trajectory as his father, Robinho Snr, who scored 81 goals in 180 games for the Sao Paulo club before securing his breakthrough transfer to Real Madrid in 2005.
Except in this case, Liverpool are said to be the European giant with designs on securing a forward with high potential before he reaches the peak of his powers.
According to The Daily Mail, Reds scout Dassler Marques has been present at numerous matches in South America to catch a glimpse of Robinho Jnr, even if it has only been brief.
Managing to sign a prospect of this ilk, before they have had the opportunity to showcase what they can do elsewhere on the European stage, could help save Liverpool from paying gargantuan sums - as they did for Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (£125m) this summer.
But it comes as no surprise knowing that Michael Edwards is the mastermind behind Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group's footballing enterprise. It was Edwards who, when in his former role as sporting director at Anfield, attempted to prise Rodrygo from Santos as a 17-year-old.
In that instance Rodrygo rejected the approach, later transferred to Real Madrid, and has spent most of this year linked with Liverpool and other Premier League clubs for a sizeable fee.
Another who went on to conquer Europe from the humble beginnings of playing for Santos is Brazil international Neymar. He is a title winner at both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and now at 33 years of age has returned to play for his boyhood club.
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According to the report, Neymar - as a former teammate of Robinho Snr - has somewhat taken his son under his wing. Neymar has even backed him publicly following his Santos debut, explaining: "Juninho has a lot of potential.
"He's very similar to his father, regardless of what his father is going through. The boy has a very good head, very strong, it's not easy to be in his place.
"It's not easy to debut like this, with the pressure that comes with his name. He's here and I'm here to help; he's a good-hearted boy. I'm rooting for him so much.
"I saw him when he was little, and today he plays alongside me. Time is passing, and he has the skills."
Robinho Jnr reportedly has a £43m release clause in his contract. His mother is acting as his de facto agent as his father is serving a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for a rape committed in 2013.
It is added Liverpool would have competition from Chelsea, who have made a point of singing South America's young talents over recent seasons. The latest being Estevao Willian, who has instantly found a place in Enzo Maresca's team.