With Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes set to arrive and guide Liverpool through the post-Klopp era, speculation is mounting as to where the club need to strengthen ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The disappointment of Klopp’s departure could be eased somewhat by the Reds making a dramatic swoop for Real Madrid star Rodrygo. The Brazilian’s place in the Spanish giants’ starting eleven is under threat with the imminent arrival of Kylian Mbappe.
Catalonian publication El Nacional have reported that LFC’s Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United may also be interested in the 23-year-old, should he be open to leaving the Spanish capital.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we spoke to experienced LFC journalist Neil Jones for his thoughts on the Rodrygo rumours.
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Neil said:
“If you’re allowed to say Rodrygo is not one of your first choices then you’re doing something right with your team building, aren’t you?!
“He’s a hell of a player. He and Vinicius Jr. are just absolute stars, aren’t they?
“I’d be surprised if Real Madrid are letting a player like that go, and if they do, then I’m not surprised that every other club in Europe would be looking and saying, ‘Let’s have a bit of that.’
“I would say he’s staying at Real Madrid. Real don’t generally let those kind of players go. They tend to let the players that are a little bit of a level below that go, but we’ll see.
“Mbappe is going to come at a significant cost, and he’s definitely going to play. Vinicius is definitely going to play, and Bellingham is definitely going to play.
“It does mean that there is competition for places, but I think if you play for Real Madrid, you just accept that.
“I don’t think anyone plays for Real Madrid on the proviso that they start every week, or they are the main man, maybe apart from Mbappe.
“I wouldn’t be advising Real Madrid to let him go, I think he’s brilliant.”
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At the age of 23, Rodrygo – who has 23 goal contributions already this season – still has his best years ahead of him and his market value could potentially increase were he to make a splash on Merseyside. These are some of the hallmarks of a Michael Edwards-sanctioned transfer, but given his current club and near-superstar status, it would likely require a huge fee to seal the deal. There is an argument that Liverpool should focus their transfer-related energy elsewhere on the pitch, as all five of their first-team attackers have hit at least 10 goals in all competitions. If Real Madrid needs to sell to fulfil PSR regulations or the Brazilian international becomes unsettled by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, then perhaps enquiries could be made over his availability. At this stage, a transfer seems a long shot.
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