Liverpool want Real Madrid's Rodrygo for €100 million; Ibrahima Konate swap deal won't happen: Report

It is now confirmed that Premier League champions Liverpool have initiated talks with Newcastle United to sign striker Alexander Isak this summer. Since Isak is officially not on the 'For Sale' board at St James' Park, only time will tell if the bid will materialise. Meanwhile, Arne Slot's team has also decided to enter the race to sign Rodrygo Goes from Real Madrid, reports said.

 

 

Liverpool attackers Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are rumoured to leave Anfield ahead of the new season — meaning the English champions will need reinforcements in the department even if Isak arrives. While Nunez is linked to several Saudi teams, Colombian Diaz is on the radar of Bayern Munich and Barcelona. If these deals happen, Liverpool will invest the sums to sign the Brazilian attacker from Real, reports said.

 

Liverpool's plan for Rodrygo is complicated -- yet simple

 

Liverpool is hopeful of getting Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike as well. The Frenchman will be the backup left winger for the Reds — behind Rodrygo, AS said in a report. Thus, the sports daily claimed that the Premier League giants are certain to go all-in for the 2001-born Rodrygo and hijack the deal from Arsenal. The Gunners remain the frontrunners to sign Rodrygo as things stand, despite Real Madrid demanding €100 million for him.

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Liverpool will send an emissary to the Spanish capital in the coming days or weeks to initiate official contacts with Real Madrid, AS added. 

 

No Konate-Rodrygo swap deal 

 

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is heavily linked to Real Madrid, with the centre-back having informed the board that they should try selling him this summer instead of risking him walking away as a free agent next season. Konate is said to have communicated that he will not ink a new deal as long as Los Blancos are interested in him. A swap deal is also impossible as Rodrygo's contract with Real runs out only on June 30, 2028. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had earlier ruled out a swap deal involving Arsenal defender William Saliba earlier this season for the same reason.

 

While Caoimhin Kelleher and Jarell Quansah have left Anfield, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have arrived on Merseyside ahead of the title defence.

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