Journalist: Liverpool offered the chance to sign Real Madrid star | OneFootball

Liverpool Offered Dani Carvajal as Free Transfer Question Emerges for Andoni Iraola

Liverpool have been presented with the chance to consider Dani Carvajal on a free transfer, with intermediaries sounding out a number of clubs over the former Real Madrid defender’s next move. As Graeme Bailey for TeamTalk reports, Liverpool, Manchester City and Fulham have all been made aware of the availability of the experienced right-back.

Carvajal, now 34, left Real Madrid at the end of last season and is understood to be exploring opportunities across Spain, Europe, the MLS and the Saudi Pro League. At this stage, Liverpool are not believed to have taken matters further, with no firm commitment made over a potential deal.

IMAGO | Anfield Index

Dani Carvajal pedigree remains obvious

There is no doubt about the calibre of player being discussed. Carvajal’s career has delivered one of the strongest honours lists of his generation, with major silverware collected for both club and country. For any side weighing up a short-term solution at right-back, that experience alone places him into a very small bracket.

From Liverpool’s perspective, the context is clear. Jeremie Frimpong is currently the only natural senior right-back available, while Conor Bradley remains out injured. Ronald Araujo has shown he can operate on that side when needed, and did so impressively in the recent win over Ipswich, but squad planners will still be assessing whether further cover is required as the season develops.

Liverpool squad balance complicates free transfer

That is where this situation becomes more interesting than straightforward. A free transfer for a player of Carvajal’s stature may sound attractive on the surface, but Liverpool’s squad composition presents a significant obstacle. The club are already at the maximum number of non-homegrown players permitted in their Premier League squad for 2026/27, which means any move could carry registration issues unless space opens up later.

There is also the financial element. Carvajal’s most recent Real Madrid salary was reported at around £172,000 per week, a level that would place him among Liverpool’s higher earners. Even without a transfer fee, that is a serious commitment for a player in the latter phase of his career, particularly given Liverpool’s usual preference for medium and long-term planning rather than stop-gap additions.

Andoni Iraola decision would be highly specific

If Liverpool were to pursue this, it would likely be because Andoni Iraola and the club’s recruitment team see a very precise need. Carvajal would bring leadership, elite-level know-how and proven reliability in high-pressure environments. Those are qualities that can still carry weight in a dressing room, especially during a demanding campaign.

Yet the current sense is that admiration and action are two different things. Liverpool may appreciate the opportunity, but appreciation alone does not make a deal likely. Unless injuries deepen or squad-list flexibility appears, this feels more like a market check than the start of a serious push.

Our View

From a sceptical Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report makes some sense on paper, but much less sense in reality. Carvajal is a brilliant modern full-back and his career speaks for itself, but Liverpool should be very careful about being drawn into a move that looks smart because of the name rather than the actual fit.

The age profile is the first issue. At 34, and with huge miles in his legs from years at Real Madrid and Spain level, he would represent a gamble however decorated he may be. Liverpool have generally moved away from this type of signing under their ownership model, and there is logic in that. A free transfer can quickly stop looking free when wages are this high.

There is also the squad-registration problem. If the club cannot easily register him, then what exactly is the point of rushing into it? Liverpool need practical solutions, not headline-friendly possibilities. Frimpong is already there, Araujo can cover, and Bradley should return. If the club truly believe right-back is a weak point, the better answer would be a younger option who can contribute now and in future.

Supporters will respect Carvajal’s achievements, but Liverpool need clarity and planning under Iraola. This feels like an opportunity being offered around the market rather than a target shaped specifically for Anfield.

Source: Graeme Bailey for TeamTalk