Jose Mourinho is now being heavily linked with a return to Real Madrid, and Fabrizio Romano claims that has a bearing on Liverpool’s transfer plans.
13 years on from a frosty departure from the Bernabeu, The Special One is being tipped for a sensational return. The Athletic revealed that Mourinho is the preferred candidate of Florentino Perez, with direct talks being held as we speak.
If he does end up back in the Spanish capital, it could open the door for Liverpool to sign much-coveted midfield target Eduardo Camavinga from Los Blancos, or it could scupper their transfer plans entirely.
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Fabrizio Romano suggests Liverpool’s Camavinga pursuit could be decided by Jose Mourinho
Liverpool’s interest in Camavinga is well documented, with the Frenchman seen as the ideal profile to add some physicality and defensive prowess to the engine room at Anfield.
The player still wants to make it at Madrid, and that has caused the links to stagnate somewhat.
But Romano outlines a possible route to bring the 23-year-old to Merseyside.
On his YouTube channel, he said: “From Real Madrid, if a big proposal comes in the summer and Camavinga could be open to discussing that proposal, they would not consider Camavinga untouchable. Real Madrid could open doors to an exit.
Eduardo Camavinga pictured ahead of Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League play-off match against Benfica at Estadio da Luz.
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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“But it doesn’t mean that Real Madrid are telling all the clubs that they don’t want Camavinga. That’s not the case.
“Then also important point to mention on Camavinga, we have to understand about the manager because the manager situation is obviously going to impact several situations at Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.”
The Italian is suggesting that Camavinga — while happy in Madrid — could be up for sale if the new hire deems him surplus to requirements.
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
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The problem is that the Frenchman’s versatility makes him compatible with pretty much any system, so it would be somewhat surprising for someone to come in and write him off straight away.
That has to be the hope for Liverpool, though. If it is Mourinho and he has a different idea of how he wants the midfield to look, it could open the door to making that statement signature.
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