Arsenal have made a 'new offer' for La Liga star and Manchester United targetplaceholder image
Arsenal have made a 'new offer' for La Liga star and Manchester United target | Getty Images
Liverpool have lost their spark in the final third and Arne Slot could do with some Brazilian flair to liven things up.
Liverpool’s transfer plans continue to be accelerating with a new name mentioned in the rumour mill on an almost daily basis.
The headline catching names are a series of wingers with a mixture of up and coming prodigies and established stars. Premier League performers like Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo are known quantities with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande attracting attention from a host of elite level clubs.
Another who comes under the category of established performer is Real Madrid’s Rodrygo who once again found himself on the bench looking on in Los Blancos’ latest fixture.
Liverpool learn Rodrygo transfer timeline
The 25-year old is keen to play more regularly and Liverpool are said to be “preparing a bid”. Anfield is also a destination that the Brazil international may well consider to showcase his talents. What is clear, is that after coming second in the Ballon d’Or in 2024, he deserves better than having to spend more time sitting on the bench than on the pitch.
According to transfer journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to TEAMtalk, there are a number of factors that could affect any possible move: “Real Madrid are insisting that Rodrygo is still a part of their plans, but they acknowledge that going into a World Cup year it is not easy for him. He was persuaded to stay in the summer by the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, and although Xabi Alonso rates him, he is behind Arda Guler in the pecking order.
“I am told that Real want to keep him until the summer, at that point we will see the likely return of Nico Paz which will only hasten his exit. Intermediaries are working hard on finding options for him – this has entailed once again opening lines of communication with Arsenal – who pushed hardest in the summer – Liverpool, as we know, but also Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
“These are the clubs Rodrygo would consider joining, it is not the clubs approaching them. As it stands, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are all keeping abreast of the situation – they want to know. Should Real sanction a possible loan, this is when things could advance. At this point, though, Real are saying that is unlikely. If the player pushes to leave we will have to see what happens. But also the Endrick situation complicates things, if he moves on as expected – Real won’t let them both leave. They are insistent on that.”
Who would be under threat if Liverpool signed Rodrygo?
Rodrygo has spent most of his time at Real Madrid playing on the right-hand side to balance the sizeable talents of Vinicius Jr on the other side of the park. When Kylian Mbappé arrived at the Bernabeu, he fell even further down the pecking order.
Despite this, his preference is to play on the left and he could provide a different option to Florian Wirtz or Cody Gakpo who have rotated there in recent weeks. As with Gakpo, he is also more than comfortable on the right and capable of chipping in with goals and assists even if he is in the middle of a 30-game goal drought. The difference is that Rodrygo is more productive than Gakpo with the ball and capable of linking play with other players around him and the Dutchman’s place in the team could be under threat.
Valued at around £80m, Rodrygo wouldn’t be cheap, but if the interest from Saudi Arabia in Mohamed Salah becomes concrete, there could be change left over in a deal that makes a lot of sense for everyone involved.
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