Reports from Spain are suggesting that Liverpool made a shock club-record bid to try and sign a Real Madrid midfielder in the last few days of the transfer window.
Speculation circulated around Jurgen Klopp’s side in the last few weeks of the summer after he admitted that Liverpool needed a midfielder. As a result, the Reds considered a number of options.
Multiple outlets suggested that Liverpool would make a move for RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer. However, a move failed to materialise. The Austria international claimed Liverpool’s interest “wasn’t so hot”. In addition, Laimer said he would not make a hasty, last-minute move, per Liverpool Echo.
Elsewhere, other targets floated in media circles included Frenkie de Jong, Leandro Paredes, and Youri Tielemans. Instead of these players, though, the Reds actually decided on a last-minute loan move for a Juventus player.
Liverpool brought in Brazilian Arthur Melo via a loan deal on deadline day. He cost just a £4 million loan fee, although the Merseyside team have the option to buy Arthur permanently next summer.
But it could have been very different if Liverpool had managed to snap up an apparent target from Real Madrid.
Claims that Liverpool attempted bold move for Real Madrid star
According to Spanish outlet AS, Jurgen Klopp’s side attempted to bring Uruguay international Federico Valverde to Anfield towards the end of the transfer window.
Liverpool apparently launched a “brutal offensive” to sign the star, even offering a club-record fee of £86.5 million (€100 million) to Real Madrid.
Unfortunately, the Reds’ efforts were in vain, as Madrid did not even consider the offer for Valverde. They consider him a “sportingly irreplaceable” part of their team, and therefore rejected the alleged bid.
Real showed their appreciation for Valverde’s development and talent by offering him a new contract last summer. Per the Daily Mail, the Uruguayan’s deal runs until 2027. The Spanish champs had no intentions of selling Valverde, despite the eye-watering fee that Liverpool offered.
Federico Valverde
The versatile midfielder established himself as a key cog in the Real side that won both La Liga and the Champions League in 2021/22.
In the latter final, Valverde provided the key assist that allowed Vinicius Junior to grab the decisive goal as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0. He played 11 matches in that Champions League run, operating in a number of positions.
Valverde plays with high energy, working tirelessly no matter what position he plays. At Real, he has lined up as a centre midfielder, wide midfielder, right winger, and right back. In 155 appearances for Los Blancos, Valverde has grabbed eight goals and ten assists.
But he arguably scored his best-ever goal just this weekend. During Real’s 4-1 win over Mallorca, Valverde scored a belter.
Picking up the ball deep in his own half, the Uruguayan drove up the pitch, beating three players with his pace and power. Then, Valverde cut inside onto his left foot, unleashing a powerful strike. The rocket shot flew into the top corner past the despairing keeper, giving Valverde his second goal of the season.
Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, they will not see him do that in a Reds shirt any time soon. Jurgen Klopp is a huge fan of the player, and Liverpool have tried to sign him before this summer, too. But Valverde is happy in Spain, and looks set to stay there for years to come.
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