Liverpool transfer news as Reds 'seek revenge' on Real Madrid

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Liverpool reportedly wants Rodrygo to be its "star forward" next season, with a Spanish media report pushing a link between the Reds and the Brazil international.

Liverpool has been tentatively linked with a move for Rodrygo in recent times, but it seems unlikely that a deal is on the cards this summer considering the Reds' outlay so far.

Hugo Ekitike's impending arrival is set to take Liverpool's summer spend hurtling past the $300 million mark, and with a new center-back also on the cards, it's hard to see where Rodrygo might fit in to Liverpool's plans from a financial perspective.

Spanish outlet AS says that Rodrygo's position at Madrid is looking increasingly uncertain after he barely played during the Club World Cup.

The winger started just once — in the opening group game against Al Hilal — and clubs in Saudi Arabia are said to be interested in signing the 24-year-old, while Liverpool and Arsenal are also reportedly interested.

AS reports that Liverpool is out for revenge after "losing every duel with Madrid" in recent years. As well as tasting numerous painful defeats by Madrid in the Champions League, the Reds have also regularly lost out to the Spanish team in the transfer market, most recently with Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to the Bernabeu.

Madrid actually beat Liverpool to the signing of Rodrygo in 2020, three years after Liverpool was first interested in signing him.

"We didn't close the deal because I didn't want to. I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good," Rodrygo revealed about the botched 2017 transfer. "The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career.

(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

"I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football. It had always been my dream to play in Europe. Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder.

"I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club. And that's what happened: I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. But it's true, I almost went to Liverpool."

Meanwhile, CaughtOffside says that Tottenham has opened talks to sign Bournemouth defender Illya Zabarnyi. Spurs reportedly views the 22-year-old center-back as an ideal replacement for Cristian Romero if he leaves the North London club.

Liverpool is said to have Zabarnyi on a list of possible replacements for Ibrahima Konate, who could depart on a free transfer next season, but the Reds have reportedly not taken any concrete steps to sign the Ukraine international.

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