1 week ago
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Liverpool holds a “genuine” interest in Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and will make a move for the Brazil star this summer.
That’s according to Eduardo Burgos, a Brazilian reporter who works for Spanish outlet AS. Liverpool has been linked with Rodrygo in recent days following a season in which he was forced to play out of position due to the presence of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in the team.
At the Club World Cup, new head coach Xabi Alonso relegated Rodrygo to the bench after the opening match, and he played just 27 minutes across the next five games in the US-based tournament.
Amid a growing sentiment that the 24-year-old will look to move on his summer, Burgos told Liverpool fan channel, Redmen TV, that Anfield could be a realistic destination for the Real star.
“It’s genuine,” the journalist said, when asked about the Reds’ interest. “Liverpool already held talks with his camp.
“They sent an emissary to Madrid to talk to his family, and Rodrygo is happy with the interest.
“He’s open to a move. He always liked the Premier League. Two summers ago, even [Manchester] City tried to sign him.
“[Pep] Guardiola called him a few times. He appreciated the gesture but in the end his preference was to stay in Madrid.
“His preference has now changed and now he’s hoping to leave. I think he will leave because he wants to be the star of the team, and [at Real Madrid] it will be very, very difficult, almost impossible.
“I think it’s not 50-50; it’s maybe 70-30. He’s open to a move and I think Liverpool may make a move.”
The news comes amid the increasing uncertainty surrounding Liverpool’s attacking options. This week, the Reds lodged an informal approach for Alexander Isak, while reports have indicated that a similar enquiry was made regarding Hugo Ekitike, who remains a transfer target for Newcastle United.
According to the Times, further talks have been ongoing between the Magpies and Eintracht Frankfurt regarding Ekitike, but no second offer has yet emerged. The report adds the German side is holding out for a fee close to the striker’s £86M ($115M) asking price.
It is also unclear whether Liverpool plans to firm up its interest in the player, with Isak being the clear first choice.
Newcastle’s stance remains that the ex-Real Sociedad man is not for sale, and the arrival of Ekitike would not necessarily mean Isak’s departure. But the north-east club’s difficult PSR position might “open the door for Liverpool”, the report adds.
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