Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is reportedly eyeing an audacious double swoop for Real Madrid duo Rodrygo and Arda Guler in the summer window.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot reportedly has his eyes set on a sensational double swoop for two youthful Real Madrid attackers in the summer window.
The former Feyenoord boss has officially been at the Anfield helm for three weeks now and is working closely with Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes to identify areas of improvement.
Moves for a new centre-back and defensive midfielder have been mooted, but the Reds are also understood to be open to attacking additions amid uncertainty over the futures of two of their offensive regulars.
There has still been no change to Mohamed Salah‘s contract situation, and he will be leaving as a free agent in 2025 as things stand, while Luis Diaz has been linked with a move to Barcelona for several weeks now.
While Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez are also at Slot’s disposal – in addition to the up-and-coming Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon – Salah and/or Diaz leaving the club would trigger an intense search for a replacement.
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According to Estadio Deportivo, Slot could try to raid Real Madrid for the signatures of Arda Guler and Rodrygo, two players who could see their position in Carlo Ancelotti‘s pecking order come under threat in the near future.
The 15-time European champions are about to add Kylian Mbappe to their ranks on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, while Endrick will arrive from Palmeiras when he turns 18 next month.
A separate report has alleged that the arrivals of Endrick and Mbappe could trigger an ‘internal war’ at Real Madrid, with both Guler and Rodrygo worried about their minutes next season, and the door is apparently open for Liverpool to make their move.
Turkey international Guler is thought to be a ‘priority’ target for Slot after the 19-year-old lit up Euro 2024 on Tuesday, scoring a sensational long-range goal in his side’s 3-1 success over Georgia.
Injuries and the form of Jude Bellingham restricted Guler to a mere 12 appearances in his debut campaign at Madrid, but he impressed when called upon with six goals from 10 outings in La Liga.
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Liverpool ‘attentive’ to Rodrygo situation
As Brahim Diaz is also available in the number 10 slot, Real Madrid would supposedly be open to letting Guler depart on loan, and Real Sociedad have also expressed an interest in the 2005-born starlet.
However, Guler supposedly has no interest in leaving the Bernabeu and intends to fight for his spot next season, although Slot will do his utmost to convince the teenager that Anfield is the best place for his development.
Meanwhile, Rodrygo operated with Vinicius Junior at the tip of Real’s 4-3-1-2 system last season and contributed 17 goals and nine assists in all competitions, but he would apparently consider leaving if it became clear that he would not be a guaranteed starter next season.
No decision on the 23-year-old’s future is expected until after the Copa America, and his contract situation means that president Florentino Perez is well-placed to demand a hefty fee.
Rodrygo penned a new deal until 2028 back in November with a release clause of £845m, but a significant sum could twist Perez’s arm.