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Liverpool FC## Liverpool has had to watch two of its stars swap Anfield for the Bernabeu for nothing over the last couple of years, but Vinicius Jr could be about to give the Reds the perfect chance at some payback
15:03, 25 Jul 2026
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 5: Vinicius Junior of Brazil reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 5, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Eduardo Carmim/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Vinicius Jr is being linked with a move away from Real Madrid as his contract runs down(Image: Getty Images)
To quote Michael Scott from The Office: “Well, well, well, how the turntables.”
Real Madrid has made quite the habit of poaching players from its rivals without spending a penny. Even perhaps the best player in the world, Kylian Mbappe, didn’t set it back a transfer fee.
Liverpool knows all too well how this ploy works. It has now seen two of its star players depart for the Bernabeu in consecutive summers, with Ibrahima Konate following in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps this year - granted, the Reds’ former vice-captain didn’t quite follow the tried and tested method the Spanish giants have employed over the years.
But even the token fee paid by Real for the right-back - of which the exact figure is hotly contested by Los Blancos - couldn’t appease the Liverpool fans who, like supporters of plenty of other clubs, have become more than a little miffed by the antics of what is supposed to be the richest club in the world.
You could argue not throwing around huge amounts of money on big transfers is how they’ve got into that position, and that the history of the club is enough for any player to throw any perceived loyalty to their current employer out of the window.
Well, now the shoe’s on the other foot. With just a year remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu, Vinicius Jr could be about to walk out on Real.
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According to The Athletic, Arsenal is looking into the possibility of signing the 26-year-old if he doesn't extend his contract at the Bernabeu. The interest from the Gunners is only at an early stage, with no club-to-club talks yet, but the idea has been given approval at all levels within the Emirates Stadium.
It would be quite the coup for the Premier League champions to sign a player who was vaunted for the Ballon d’Or just a couple of years ago - and maybe it shouldn’t just be Arsenal eyeing up Vinicius.
Liverpool has been tenuously linked with the Brazilian by reports in Spain, with suggestions that the Reds could go for him when he becomes available as a free agent next year. If his contract impasse were to go on that long, then it opens up the chance for Liverpool to get some payback.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid CF at Football Arena Munich on April 15, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Liverpool could get some payback for Real Madrid's insulting bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Just a little more than 18 months ago, Real tabled a $26.6 million bid for Alexander-Arnold - a move which was succinctly described as a “p---take” by Gary Neville. Halfway through a season and with a title to be won, Liverpool was never going to accept that offer, and all it really could do was unsettle the club, the players and the fans even further.
Well, payback could be on the cards. If Vinicius still hasn’t put pen to paper by January, then Liverpool will have the opportunity to do the funniest thing.
There wouldn’t be any harm in putting in a bid for the winger from the Reds’ perspective, and just like Real, they wouldn’t even need to put any consideration into whether it will be accepted. A cheeky $20M offer for a player valued at nearly $160M - who says no?
Yes, we know Vinicius is almost certainly not coming to Liverpool. In fact, the idea of Arsenal getting him seems a bit too outlandish, even if that is coming from a more reliable source.
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The opportunity to give Real a taste of its own medicine is too good to turn down though.
James Findlater
James Findlater
James Findlater is a Content Editor for Liverpool.com, bringing nearly a decade of experience to his coverage of Liverpool FC and the wider football landscape. James started his professional journey in January 2015 and has established himself as a versatile sports journalist. Before his current role, James served as a Sport Content Editor at the Liverpool ECHO and worked as a Trends and Football Writer for both the Manchester Evening News and Grimsby Live. During his time at Grimsby Live, James was a dedicated reporter for Grimsby Town FC, providing detailed match analysis and club news. His commitment to excellence in regional journalism was recognised in 2021 with a nomination for a Regional Press Award.
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