Rodrygo opens door for Liverpool transfer with Real Madrid demand

Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has made a contract demand that opens the door for Liverpool. This is one to watch this summer.

Liverpool have a long-standing interest in Rodrygo. They actually tried to sign him long before he signed for Real Madrid and were incredibly close to striking a deal.

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Former Manchester City star Elano scuppered the plan. He figured Rodrygo would be worth far more if Santos waited a year before selling and unfortunately, he was absolutely right.

Rodrygo went to Madrid instead, leaving Liverpool without the Brazilian wonderkid they were after. But perhaps it’s not too late.

AS recently reported that Rodrygo could now be sold this summer. He’s quite clearly sidelined in respect to importance at Real Madrid since Kylian Mbappe arrived.

In fact, you could argue he became less important the moment Jude Bellingham arrived. The club look likely to make major changes after this summer, too, which may further isolate Rodrygo.

And if they want to make those changes, they’ll need cash and selling a star player is a good way to do just that. Rodrygo appears to be on the chopping block, then, and he appears to have confirmed that himself.

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Rodrygo makes contract demand

The Athletic’s Guillermo Rai spoke to The Iñanku Angulo Show this week where he suggested that Rodrygo has asked for a pay rise if he’s to sign a new contract with Real Madrid. Now, doing that when you’re already up possibly for sale is a good way of securing your exit.

Rodrygo is essentially telling Real Madrid there that they won’t get him to sign a new contract on their terms. The threat of a sale isn’t going to worry him - he just won’t renew.

And that leaves Real Madrid almost certain to sell. Enter Liverpool.

The Reds will potentially sell three forwards this summer. In fact, Federico Chiesa can be added to that, so make it four of the six first-team options.

They’re only going to do that, however, if elite replacements come in and Rodrygo is exactly that. It feels as though he’s becoming available at exactly the right time for Liverpool and given their long-standing interest, this is really one to watch.

There’s still a long way to go here, of course - for one, Real Madrid need to set a proper price. Other clubs are also very interested in the Brazilian forward and will make life difficult for Liverpool if they do pursue him.

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But the opportunity is there. Rodrygo himself has made sure of that.