Liverpool confident of signing James Rodriguez from Real Madrid
Liverpool are confident they can sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid come the summer.
Liverpool have their eye on James Rodriguez, and are confident they can sign the playmaker from Real Madrid in the summer, according to the Mirror. Although, Rodriguez has indicated that he will only join a team that is playing in the Champions League.
The 25-year-old is out of favor at the Santiago Bernabeu under Zinedine Zidane, and is already looking around to find himself a new club. Liverpool have wanted Rodriguez for some time now, but have been consistently rejected in their attempts to sign the playmaker.
Chelsea have also been linked with the player, with Eden Hazard then moving in the opposite direction. But that deal is unlikely to happen with the Blues uninterested in parting ways their star man. Which opens the door that little bit more for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp.
There will be more clubs interested in Rodriguez come the summer, but reports in Spain suggest that contact between both parties has already been made, with Rodriguez making clear his Champions League aspirations.
More from The Top Flight
- Barcelona identify Newcastle star as Robert Lewandowski replacement
- Arsenal injury news: Mikel Arteta confirms “rapid” attacker suffered injury
- “600 days” Fans make SHOCK Chelsea revelation – They really are poor
- Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkid
- Manchester United: Erik ten Hag pinpoints 4 players amid Brighton loss
The Colombian is likely to be valued at around £65 million and currently has a contract in Madrid that runs until 2020. Any deal to sign Rodriguez will smash Liverpool’s current transfer record, which was set when the club signed Andy Carroll back in 2011.
Rodriguez is a superstar and would be a welcome addition to an already dangerous Liverpool attack. However, it must be said that Liverpool’s issues this season have been defensively, rather than the offensively.
How much money would Liverpool have left to sign additional players, were they to spend around £65 million on Rodriguez? The team has more pressing issues to be solved. Like, the goalkeeper position, center-back and left-back.
Signing Rodriguez should not take away from the club’s ability to adequately fill those positions. Rodriguez is a luxury signing. Is he a luxury the Reds can truly afford? And that doesn’t just mean squad-wise, but also financially.
Next: Southgate has already proved Rooney's England axe right
Klopp still needs to guide his men to a top four finish in the Premier League this season. That will not only tick a mandatory box for Rodriguez himself, but it will also bring the club a piece of the Champions League pie.
That Champions League money is vital to the top clubs and their budgets for the following season. Liverpool need to seal that deal first. Then, maybe, a James Rodriguez deal will be next.