Liverpool are considering a move for Real Betis’ star Guido Rodriguez and could get a massive €50million discount.
According to Spanish newspaper La Razon, Liverpool ‘threaten the continuity’ of Rodriguez at Betis as they consider taking him to Anfield.
71 days since Georginio Wijnaldum’s final game for the club, Liverpool are still yet to sign his successor but are reportedly looking to Spain for a replacement.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – OCTOBER 05: Guido Rodriguez #5 of America celebrates after scoring the first goal of his team during the 13th round match between Cruz Azul and America as part of the Torneo Apertura 2019 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
The report states that although the midfielder has an €80million release clause in his contract with Betis, they would be willing to let him leave for just €30m.
Liverpool would be getting a great bargain and given that they are in need of an affordable option after they lost Wijnaldum for free, signing Rodriguez for around £25million would be a decent deal.
The Argentine is 1.85m tall and is very combative but the issue with this deal is twofold.
Liverpool are not after a defensive midfielder and are likely not looking to sign a player that will be 32 by the time his initial five-year contract with the club expires.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – DECEMBER 09: Guido Rodriguez #5 of America celebrates with teammates after scoring the 4th goal of his team during the semifinal second leg match between America and Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Apertura 2018 Liga MX at Azteca Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Liverpool are in the market for a dynamic no.8 with high energy levels that can protect the ball to a similar degree to Georginio Wijnaldum.
The former Red was world-class at resisting the press and while Jurgen Klopp will know it will be difficult to find someone just like him, links to German Florian Neuhaus suggest that he is trying.
The 24-year-old isn’t my preferred target but he is a fantastic dribbler and very difficult to dispossess as he uses his awareness and agility to wriggle away from opponents.
It seems unlikely that he will leave Monchengladbach this summer, however, and Liverpool are running out of time to bring in a new midfielder.
BIELEFELD, GERMANY – JANUARY 02: Florian Neuhaus of Gladbach in action during the Bundesliga match between DSC Arminia Bielefeld and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Schueco Arena on January 02, 2021 in Bielefeld, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Links to Atletico Madrid’s Saul persist but Manchester United have the financial firepower to win the race to sign him.
There’s also the argument to be made that he might not actually be a guaranteed starter at Liverpool so whether he’d choose Anfield over Old Trafford is unclear.
