Liverpool’s search for a new attacking spark has reached fever pitch as the summer transfer window nears its close, with the Reds reportedly targeting Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes as a marquee signing. Following the high-profile departure of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich just three weeks ago—a move that netted Liverpool a tidy £65 million and a handsome profit—the Merseyside club finds itself with a glaring gap on the wings and a sense of urgency to reinforce the forward line.
Diaz’s exit, sanctioned for a sum that was roughly £40 million above similar deals at the time, was made palatable by the presence of Cody Gakpo. Yet, with no direct replacement signed and manager Arne Slot contemplating the promotion of 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool’s attacking options are notably thin. Club insiders acknowledge that, while Ngumoha’s potential is exciting, the club is still actively considering external options before the transfer window slams shut on August 31, 2025.
The name on everyone’s lips is Rodrygo. The 24-year-old Brazilian forward’s situation at Real Madrid has become increasingly tenuous since the arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach. Once a regular feature under Carlo Ancelotti, Rodrygo has seen his minutes drastically reduced—playing just 91 minutes across seven matches under Alonso, including only one start in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and sitting out the La Liga opener against Osasuna entirely.
Alonso addressed the situation with measured diplomacy. “These are match decisions,” he stated during a recent press conference. “The way the match was going, we needed another profile. There have been no decisions for the future. What counts is this season and of course I'm counting on Rodrygo. It's just one game, we shouldn't read too far into the future.” Alonso confirmed he had spoken with Rodrygo, emphasizing that “all the decisions about playing and making the starting 11 are mine, solely and exclusively.”
Despite the reassurances, Rodrygo’s frustration is understandable. The left wing—his preferred position—has been dominated by Vinicius Junior, with occasional cameos from new arrival Kylian Mbappé. Rodrygo has reportedly requested to be considered for the left-sided role, no longer wishing to be deployed on the right. According to ESPN and Spanish journalist Javier Rodríguez Pascual, Alonso plans to give Rodrygo a chance to prove himself on the left in the upcoming match against Real Oviedo, though he may have to settle for minutes off the bench behind Vinicius and Mbappé.
With game time scarce and the World Cup in the United States less than a year away, Rodrygo faces a critical juncture. His lack of minutes has already had international repercussions: Carlo Ancelotti, now in charge of Brazil, has decided not to call him up for September’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia, citing his limited club appearances. For a player who made 54 appearances and scored 14 goals last season, the current situation is a bitter pill.
Against this backdrop, Liverpool’s interest has intensified. According to reports from Jorge Nicola and Football Insider, Rodrygo’s agents are currently in the UK, holding talks with Liverpool representatives and planning subsequent meetings with Manchester City. The player is said to be open to offers, signaling that a move to the Premier League is a real possibility. Liverpool, flush with funds from the Diaz sale and with a standoff in negotiations for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, are in a strong financial position to meet Real Madrid’s asking price—reported to be around €90 million (£78 million), though some sources suggest the club would accept a slightly lower figure of €80 million (~$93 million).
Competition for Rodrygo’s signature is fierce. Manchester City, long-term admirers, remain in the hunt, but their pursuit may hinge on whether Savinho joins Tottenham—a domino effect that could complicate matters. At City, Rodrygo would face stiff competition from the likes of Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku, and Savinho, all vying for minutes in Pep Guardiola’s famously fluid system. Liverpool, meanwhile, would likely pit him against Florian Wirtz, Federico Chiesa, and Cody Gakpo for the left wing, but the path to regular starts could be clearer, especially with Gakpo’s contract situation mirroring Diaz’s prior to his departure.
Arsenal, another club linked to Rodrygo, appear to have dropped out of the race due to their own lavish summer spending—nearly £300 million, including the acquisition of Eberechi Eze. Any move to North London would likely be a loan, but with Liverpool and Manchester City both able to offer permanent deals, the Gunners’ hopes seem faint.
For Liverpool, Rodrygo offers the ideal profile: young at 24, world-class pedigree, proven output, and versatility across the front line. Despite a history of just one significant hamstring injury during the 2020/21 season, his fitness record remains solid. He’s also no stranger to high-stakes environments, having competed for domestic and European honors with Real Madrid and featured, albeit sparingly, in the Club World Cup.
Yet, Rodrygo himself is not rushing to exit Madrid. Reports suggest he remains committed to fighting for his place and has made his preference for the left wing clear to Alonso. Still, the allure of the Premier League, the promise of more regular minutes, and the chance to play a leading role at an elite club could tip the scales. If Liverpool receive any encouragement, club sources indicate that negotiations could progress swiftly—a “blockbuster end to the summer” is not out of the question, according to Pablo Oliveira.
As the transfer deadline looms, Liverpool fans are left to wonder: will the club pull off one of the summer’s biggest coups, or will Rodrygo’s saga take another twist? For now, the only certainty is that the Brazilian’s future remains one of European football’s most intriguing storylines.
With less than a week until the window closes, all eyes are on Anfield and the Bernabeu. The outcome of Rodrygo’s deliberations—whether he stays to fight for his place in Madrid or embarks on a new adventure in England—could shape the fortunes of multiple clubs for the season ahead.
