A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Anfield chiefs consider a move in which the Reds would sacrifice Mohamed Salah and mull a U-turn over Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham opens up on Liverpool’s interest in his transfer
Jude Bellingham has admitted that the race for his transfer from Borussia Dortmund was not as close as some suggested after snubbing interest from Liverpool to join Real Madrid. He is adamant that Los Blancos were the only club he seriously considered once they made a bid.
Liverpool had long been linked with a move for Bellingham after emerging as one of the best midfielders during his time at Borussia Dortmund. But Real Madrid completed the signing of the Birmingham City product in June 2023 as BVB agreed to a £88.5m rising to £115m deal.
Bellingham has since shown he has everything needed to be a Galactico and finished third in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings after even helping England reach the Euro 2024 final. His form for Los Blancos showed why Liverpool targeted his transfer, but Bellingham was not as keen.
“It probably wasn’t as close as a lot of the media made out,” Bellingham admitted in a pre-game presser. “I had conversations with a few clubs on leaving Borussia Dortmund. When I made that decision, they gave me permission to speak to a few clubs.
“One thing I have to say is that all the clubs I spoke to were very respectful of me and my family, which for me is a huge value and something I really respected.
“I don’t want to say anything that is disrespectful to them. But when Real Madrid come knocking, it shakes the whole house. It is one that is hard not to accept.”
Read more about what Bellingham has said about Liverpool’s interest in his transfer, here.
Liverpool could sacrifice Mohamed Salah to sign Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Liverpool are discussing letting Mohamed Salah leave as a free agent in 2025 if it means the Reds can battle for the transfer of SSC Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. That is according to Graeme Bailey, who exclusively tells Rousing The Kop the Reds are tracking the Georgian.
While Anfield chiefs are loath to let Salah walk away at the end of his contract next summer, the Merseyside natives are mindful of missing out on a successor like Kvaratskhelia and Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao. Liverpool will rue seeing either move if they are not in the chase.
Kvaratskhelia and Williams are likely to be major players in the transfer market next summer as teams target new wingers. Liverpool appreciate what they could offer at Anfield if Salah is no longer there, with Kvaratskhelia scoring five and assists two goals in 15 fixtures this term.
Read more about Liverpool’s interest in sealing Kvaratskhelia’s transfer from Napoli, here.
Liverpool could now sell Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid in January
Liverpool could now pull a U-turn and sell Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid during the January transfer window. That is according to Marca, which reports that the Reds are eager to understand if Florentino Perez is seriously interested in the right-back joining Los Blancos.
Anfield chiefs also met their Galacticos counterparts on Wednesday for lunch to discuss any deal for the England international. Liverpool have long resisted exploring selling Alexander-Arnold ahead of his contract expiring next June but he is not showing an appetite to renew.
Real Madrid can officially start negotiating a pre-contract with Alexander-Arnold to join in a free transfer from Liverpool next summer as of January 1. But given the lack of fresh terms on the table, the Reds’ stance could ease and present a route for his move over the winter.
Read more about Liverpool’s stance on Alexander-Arnold’s transfer to Real Madrid, here.
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