Real Madrid Willing To Sacrifice Star Player In Swap Deal With Liverpool

Real Madrid are open to the idea of a swap deal involving Rodrygo, according to reports in Spain, with Xabi Alonso willing to 'facilitate' a move for one of Liverpool's summer signings.

Since joining the club in a £39 million move from Santos, Rodrygo has made over 250 appearances for Los Blancos across a trophy-laden six-year spell.

He impressed under Carlo Ancelotti, winning three La Liga titles and the Champions League twice, but the Brazil international has played a bit-part role of late, especially under new manager Xabi Alonso.

As a result, Rodrygo was heavily linked with a summer move. Arsenal and Chelsea were both rumoured to be interested alongside recently-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool.

Spanish publication AS claimed Liverpool expressed an interest and were keeping tabs on his delicate situation at Madrid, but they eventually focused on other targets, including Florian Wirtz.

Rodrygo has struggled for starts under Xabi Alonso. Image credit: Getty

Wirtz, who eventually joined Liverpool for £116 million, had been tracked by Madrid for several months.

However, the Spanish club were unwilling to meet the demands made by Bayer Leverkusen and proceeded to withdraw from the bidding process, according to Spanish publication Defensa Central.

The report also claims Wirtz 'wouldn't have hesitated' to join Los Blancos if they had made a suitable offer.

In fact, as the German struggles to adapt to life in the Premier League, Madrid would be willing to include Rodrygo in an audacious swap deal for Wirtz.

"Xabi Alonso would be delighted to have him," the report says. "For now, Real Madrid are following him very closely, aware that he could become a very interesting option to strengthen their midfield in the future."

It adds: "But in the short term, it seems like a virtually impossible move, because Liverpool won't want to sell him so soon, however interested they may be in Rodrygo."

What has Rodrygo said about Liverpool?

Before his move to Madrid, the Brazilian forward came close to signing for Liverpool for just £2.5 million.

"We didn't close the deal (with Liverpool) because I didn't want to," Rodrygo said in 2024. "I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good… finally, I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos."

"But it's true, I almost went to Liverpool in 2017."

Rodrygo came up against Liverpool this month. Image credit: Getty

Despite turning Liverpool down, he has expressed his admiration for the club and its fans.

Speaking ahead of a Champions League clash at Anfield in 2023, he said: "The game there is going to be very difficult, we already know this. Playing against Liverpool is always difficult whether with or without fans, but at Anfield even more."