Liverpool has been told that Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo would be the ideal solution if the Reds need to find a successor for Luis Diaz this summer.
Uncertainty lingers over Diaz's future at Anfield, despite the Colombian winger joining the squad on their pre-season tour in the Far East. Liverpool wants to keep him, but links with Bayern Munich are continuing to build.
With just two years left on his current deal and no contract renewal talks, Diaz earlier this summer admitted his agents had engaged with potential new clubs. Barcelona's inquiry for Diaz was rebuffed while Liverpool has also rejected an offer from Bayern.
The German giant is anticipated to come back with a better bid. While Liverpool has so far insisted that Diaz is not on the market, an exceptional offer could test that stance.
Should Diaz make an exit, Liverpool would be on the hunt for a replacement, and Rodrygo, who once opted for Real Madrid over Liverpool as a 17-year-old in 2018, is currently a hot topic in Spain.
"Liverpool are in the business of signing world-class players, and should Luis Diaz depart, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo looks a fantastic option to replace him," former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant told Adventure Gamers.
"He’s not some young, unstudied talent. He’s an experienced and established player as it is, and watching him over the years has been exciting.
"He’s quick, powerful, direct and very tricky to defend against and you could even say he fits a similar profile to Diaz. It’d be a like-for-like replacement and a transfer that I could see the fans really getting behind should Diaz leave."
So far this summer, Liverpool has brought in Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. It signed Giorgi Mamardashvili in 2024, a year in advance of him making the move, and is closing in on a deal for Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
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"Ekitike's got good feet and has a similar stature and style to that of Alexander Isak," Pennant said. "It remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to put the same kind of numbers up, though.
"He’s a good player. With regards to the price tag, it’ll only be the maximum number if he hits the heights the club has set for him. If he does, then it’s definitely money well spent. Liverpool will save on a small amount in add-ons if some of those targets aren’t reached.
Liverpool.com says: Rodrygo would be an incredible signing for the Reds, but it would be yet another thing to get done this summer when there has already been loads of movement in the forward line.
How much is too much change? If Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa were to move on as well, which is more than plausible, that would be quite the overhaul.