Liverpool eye Real Madrid ace Rodrygo as potential Diaz replacement

Liverpool have earmarked Real Madrid star Rodrygo as a top attacking target should Luis Diaz leave this summer (h/t L’Equipe).

The Reds are closing in on the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike for €95 million, but are not done with their spending spree.

While they intend to keep hold of Diaz, the Reds may end up changing their stance due to the concrete interest from Bayern Munich.

The Premier League champions value him at around €80 million, while Bayern are determined to go all out to secure a deal.

Arne Slot will look to plug the gap in the event of Diaz’s departure, and Rodrygo has emerged as a top contender.

The Brazilian is facing an uncertain future at Madrid due to the mounting exit speculation.

It all started after a disappointing 2024/25 season, where he looked far from his best and struggled for regular game time.

His situation has come under further scrutiny under the new manager Xabi Alonso, who left the Brazilian out of the starting XI in all the games at the FIFA Club World Cup.

It also signals that the Brazilian has slipped down the pecking order behind Gonzalo Garcia and Arda Guler.

Although Rodrygo sees the Spanish giants as an ideal destination for his career, he needs prominent game time to find back his form ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, Los Blancos are open to parting ways with Rodrygo should they receive an offer in excess of €100 million.

Arsenal are keeping tabs on the 24-year-old, who was instrumental in Madrid’s UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles in the 2023/24 season.

Having already snapped up Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, and with Ekitike’s transfer imminent, the Reds are looking to take their spending power to unprecedented levels with Rodrygo’s pursuit.

They could also cash in on Darwin Nunez amid interest from Saudi Pro League clubs to facilitate Rodrygo’s move.