Real Madrid would now consider selling 24-year-old to Liverpool this summer – journalist

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Real Madrid would consider selling reported Liverpool target Federico Valverde this summer.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Valverde already this off-season, with Madrid said to have rejected a transfer out of hand.

But asked about the potential of the 24-year-old leaving, ESPN FC’s Madrid correspondent Alex Kirkland said the Spanish giants may have to sell one of their midfielders. And, according to Kirkland, Valverde is a prime candidate.

“They’ve got into this situation because they offered contract renewals to Luka Modric, to Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos,” began the reporter. “All three of them ended up accepting, all three of them ended up staying. I don’t think Real Madrid expected all three of them to still be here next season.

“They’ve brought in [Jude] Bellingham, they’ve brought in [Arda] Guler now. It leaves them with too many midfielders. So, you’re looking at well, who can go? It’s not going to be the players who’ve just agreed new contracts, it’s not going to be the players they’ve just brought in. You’re looking at players like [Aurelien] Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.

“Tchouameni, I don’t think Madrid ideally would like to see him go. They only brought him in a year ago for a lot of money. Yes, he didn’t have quite the season that everyone expected, dropped off a lot in the second half of the season. but he’s a player that if you want to bring in money you could bring in big money for Tchouameni. And Valverde is the other one who’s a really exciting player.

“I get the feeling that Madrid would consider it [selling Valverde]. He’s the sort of player with his qualities, you can see him doing really well in the Premier League as well.”

Valverde tipped for Madrid exit

Previous reports have claimed that Real Madrid would not actually consider selling Valverde at all. It’s been put forward that both player and club are very happy together and don’t plan on separating.

But Kirkland does have a very good point. It could also be that Madrid are plotting an extravagant move for Kylian Mbappe next season.

Put simply, they may need to move one or two players out.

Given that he isn’t a nailed-on starter in any of the handful of positions he can play, you can see the logic in letting Valverde go. The Uruguayan would also bring in a pretty sizeable transfer fee.

Should that come to pass, then Liverpool simply have to be involved. They may have just brought in Dominik Szoboszlai, but Valverde would be an even better fit.

The Uruguay international is mobile, athletic, versatile and has an eye for goal. He, Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister could form an impressive, multi-functional unit for the Reds.

Nevertheless, we can’t see it happening. Even if Real did want to sell Valverde, he’ll probably end up elsewhere. Had he been available right from the start of the summer window, that would perhaps be different. But we are where we are. We’d still be surprised if the former Penarol man isn’t at the Bernabeu next season.