Liverpool are building for life after Jurgen Klopp. (Image: Getty)
Liverpool may have found the perfect timing to prise Rodrygo away from Real Madrid and bring him to Anfield, years after he initially turned them down. The Brazilian star scored once again in his side’s 3-3 Champions League draw with Manchester City, but is facing an increasingly uncertain future at the Bernabeu.
Rodrygo has formed an impressive trio with Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, but the arrival of wonderkid Endrick is likely to be followed by Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer. Those signings may pose problems for the existing attacking trident, with Bellingham flourishing in his first La Liga season playing off the existing duo.
Bellingham and Vinicius Jr are thought to be cornerstones of Madrid’s future, but Rodrygo could be the player impacted the most by Endrick and Mbappe’s signings, potentially opening the door for Liverpool to pounce.
The Reds attempted to sign him as a teenager for Santos, but Rodrygo revealed that he rejected the opportunity to play in the Premier League in order to stay in Brazil instead, before leaving for Madrid in 2019.
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Rodrygo celebrating after scoring for Manchester City against Real Madrid. (Image: Getty)
“We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to,” Rodrygo admitted. “I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good. The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career. I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football.
“It had always been my dream to play in Europe. Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club. And that’s what happened: I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool.”
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Luis Diaz has reported interest from PSG and Barcelona. (Image: Getty)
However, Liverpool may be on the market for attacking reinforcements this summer under a new head coach. Mohamed Salah’s future remains up in the air and the Telegraph claim that there is a possibility of Luis Diaz also departing Anfield for Paris Saint-Germain with a £75million fee being mooted.
Diaz has recently been visited by his agent Raul Costa at the club and has just over three years left on his contract. Liverpool will be wary of letting his current deal drag on any longer and if an agreement cannot be reached over an extension, they may decide to part ways with the Colombian forward.
A double exit of Salah and Diaz could open up the possibility of returning for Rodrygo. Liverpool have been staunch admirers of the Brazilian and with a glut of forward talent set to arrive at the Bernabeu, they could complete a transfer over four years in the making to finally get their man.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1886850/Liverpool-transfer-news-Rodrygo-Diaz-Salah