Liverpool's €100m Rodrygo move takes MAJOR step forward | OneFootball

Liverpool are close to wrapping up a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. Following Newcastle’s failed attempts to land the French frontman, Liverpool have swooped in.

With the club having chased the 23-year-old for three years, it marks the culmination of an intense transfer chase.

Since first coming on the radar of the Merseysiders - while playing for hometown club Reims - Ekitike moved first to Paris Saint-Germain before landing at Frankfurt.

- and if the stars align they could repeat the trick for another much-loved forward.

Rodrygo listed for sale by Real Madrid

Rodrygo, 24, was very much of interest to Liverpool when emerging with Santos in Brazil. The versatile forward decided to move to Real Madrid when he left home back in 2019 - and it’s hard to argue that his choice hasn’t paid off.

Two Champions Leagues - and various other titles later - Rodrygo is regarded as one of the best forwards in the world.

But it looks like he will have no space at Xabi Alonso’s new-look Real Madrid - with several players including Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler ahead of him in the pecking order.

And with Madrid adding Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono during this summer’s transfer window, the focus is very much on sales.

Rodrygo looks like he will be available with Madrid asking for around €100m for a player under contract until 2028.

Liverpool and Arsenal competing for Rodrygo

Liverpool were tipped to go back in for Rodrygo having missed out on him as a teenager - but were facing stiff competition from Arsenal.

Indeed it was reported that the Brazil international favoured a London move if push came to shove and he had to leave the Bernabeu.

But now Liverpool’s chances of signing Rodrygo have taken a huge step forward with claims in Spain that Arsenal are out of the running.

The Gunners are making big strides towards landing both Noni Madueke AND Victor Gyokeres in this window.

Having already signed Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, it doesn’t appear Mikel Arteta’s side have got the capacity for more new faces.

© IMAGO - Rodrygo Liverpool

Arsenal option CLOSED for Rodrygo

“The signings of Madueke and Gyökeres have complicated things considerably,” the report in CadenaSER reads.

“Arsenal's options are closed, and therefore, either Liverpool will go for him because Newcastle won't sell Isak, or the Brazilian will have to leave Real Madrid in August for a lesser team.”

The mention of Isak makes it all the more probable that Rodrygo ends up at Anfield.

Newcastle, of course, don’t appear willing to sell Isak in this window. That’s their loss. Either they renew his contract or else he will be a depreciating asset in windows upcoming and Liverpool can strike a cheaper deal.

But since the Reds cannot get hold of the Sweden frontman in this summer’s transfer window, it means any potential fee for Isak can now go elsewhere.

Liverpool are hoping to shift Darwin Nunez - and will listen to realistic bids for Luis Diaz. If those two leave then space will be cleared in the budget for Ekitike and one more dream signing in the shape of Rodrygo. Arsenal’s loss could be very much Liverpool’s gain.