Rodrygo U-turn Stuns Liverpool as €90M Deal Collapses After Talks with Xabi Alonso
Liverpool’s hopes of landing Brazilian winger Rodrygo Goes have been dashed, with the Real Madrid star deciding to stay at the Bernabéu following pivotal talks with incoming manager Xabi Alonso.
Just days ago, reports suggested that Liverpool had agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old and were preparing a €90 million bid to secure his signature ahead of the 2025/26 season. The move was seen as a major statement of intent by new Reds manager Arne Slot, who is looking to reshape Liverpool’s front line.
❌ Rodrygo Stays: “Madrid See Him as Key”
However, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano revealed on Monday that Rodrygo has opted to remain at Real Madrid, despite earlier frustrations over limited minutes and positional uncertainty.
“Rodrygo has spoken with Real Madrid, and the decision is to stay,” Romano said on his YouTube channel and X account. “He’s happy to fight for his place, and Madrid see him as key for 2025/26.”
Rodrygo, who is contracted with the Spanish giants until 2028, reportedly held crunch talks with Xabi Alonso, who personally reassured him of a more prominent role moving forward.
Despite playing just 92 minutes across three Club World Cup matches in 2024—and frequently deployed out of position—Rodrygo’s conversation with Alonso appears to have renewed his commitment to Los Blancos.
🟥 Liverpool Left Reeling
The collapse of the deal is a significant blow to Liverpool, who had identified Rodrygo as a potential long-term replacement for Luis Díaz, with the Colombian winger heavily linked to Bayern Munich.
Rodrygo’s Champions League pedigree, along with a record of 68 goals and 51 assists in 270 appearances for Madrid, made him an ideal target for Liverpool’s evolving front three, potentially lining up alongside Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.
⚠️ Transfer Frustration Builds at Anfield
Rodrygo’s decision follows Liverpool’s earlier miss on Alexander Isak, whose proposed £175 million move to Arsenal collapsed but nonetheless took the striker off Liverpool’s radar.
Fans have taken to social media to vent frustration at what they see as a sluggish and inconsistent transfer strategy, especially with the Premier League opener vs Tottenham on August 16 fast approaching.
“We had Rodrygo in the bag. Now it’s back to square one,” one fan wrote.
“No Isak, no Rodrygo, and Díaz could still walk. We need answers,” said another.
👀 Who’s Next? Eze and Watkins in the Frame
With time ticking, Liverpool may pivot to domestic targets. Names like Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) and Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) have been mentioned as alternatives, though no advanced talks are currently underway.
Meanwhile, defensive concerns are quietly growing. Ibrahima Konaté’s contract situation remains unresolved, with both Real Madrid and PSG reportedly monitoring developments. Losing a key centre-back while missing out on top attacking targets would further strain Liverpool’s ambitions under Slot.
⏳ Crunch Time at Anfield
While Liverpool’s current squad still boasts depth and talent, the collapse of the Rodrygo deal has undeniably dampened optimism heading into the new campaign.
With less than two weeks before kickoff and fans eager for a marquee addition, the pressure is on Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy to act decisively — or risk being left behind in what’s shaping up to be a fiercely competitive Premier League season
