It is usually Real Madrid who are sniffing around Liverpool’s best players, but the crisis currently unfolding at the Bernabeu could give the Reds a rare chance to turn the tables.
Last week, we were discussing Liverpool’s chances of signing Kylian Mbappe as internal tension in Madrid began to bubble. The price is the obvious sticking point there, although Liverpool are one of the few clubs who could even think about affording him.
It’s not very realistic, though.
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Rumours of discontent at the Bernabeu 👀
A more feasible move, and perhaps a better one, would be for Real Madrid’s actual best player this season, Federico Valverde. Given the chaos now surrounding the Spanish giants, that may not be as impossible as it once looked.
Many at Real Madrid want former Liverpool target Federico Valverde gone
Valverde has been Real Madrid’s best player this season.
That might sound strange when Mbappe has 41 goals so far, but Valverde is the one who makes everything tick. He is very similar to Dominik Szoboszlai in that sense, competent in every aspect of the game and excellent in several.
He can run, press, carry, shoot, tackle and cover huge spaces. That is what makes the situation in Madrid so staggering.
Valverde has already been involved in a reported bust-up with Aurelien Tchouameni, with the explanation around the incident feeling far from convincing.
Now, Madrid reporter Ramon Alvarez claims (via X): “There are players with weight in Real Madrid’s locker room who are asking the club for Valverde’s departure this summer. A very delicate issue to manage due to Valverde’s track record at Madrid.”
That is an extraordinary development. It would quite literally be like hearing that senior Liverpool players wanted Szoboszlai gone. It makes almost no sense from the outside, but that is the state of the circus currently unfolding at the Bernabeu.
Liverpool have been linked with Valverde before, too. Back in 2023, the Uruguayan addressed transfer claims around a possible move to Anfield and made it clear he was happy at Madrid.
At the time, that felt like the end of the matter. Madrid were stable, Valverde was untouchable and Liverpool had to move on. The situation feels very different now.
Eduardo Camavinga is the Madrid player we thought we might have a chance of getting this summer, but Valverde is a different level of player.
Federico Valverde is one of the best midfielders in the world
Valverde is exactly the calibre of player Liverpool should be watching if there is even the slightest chance of a deal.
He is not a luxury signing. He is not a player who would need a system built around him. He is the system player every manager wants.
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Liverpool already have a strong midfield, but bringing the Uruguayan to Anfield would take it to another level. A midfield two of him and Szoboszlai would be enough to give opposition teams nightmares.
He’s exactly the kind of proven, prime-age, title-winning footballer Liverpool should be targeting when the opportunity arises.
Mbappe is the fantasy. Valverde is the perfect fit.
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