Liverpool boss flew out to meet transfer target now 'in mega-money talks' with Arsenal

Arsenal have their eye on a big money transfer move in the summer, yet one Liverpool manager flew abroad in a bid to sign the player they are eying, many years before

Arsenal are in talks to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who could have been turning out for Liverpool – had things been different. The Spanish giants are said to be willing to sell the Brazilian, who was signed from Santos in 2018.

In 2023, Rodrygo signed a new contract until 2028, which included an eye-watering release clause of €1billion (£840m). However, if Arsenal were to sign the South American, they would not need to come close to that figure,with Rodrygo potentially available for around £67.5m.

While Mikel Arteta's side are in the hunt for him, Jurgen Klopp – when he was still manager of Liverpool – did everything he could to sway the versatile winger to Anfield, before Real Madrid swooped in. The German was so interested in signing him, he even got on a flight to meet the then youngster personally, according to Rodrygo's agent.

While speaking to Canal do Nicola in 2020, Rodrygo’s agent, Nick Arcuri, said: "When Rodrygo went to sign his first professional contract with Santos, aged 16, a Liverpool director called me saying that Klopp already knew the player, had seen the material, had already come to see Rodrygo personally.

"He had gone on YouTube, searched 'talents from Brazil’. Rodrygo had appeared and he was very young. He (Klopp) came to Brazil, and liked him.

"They contacted me, the Liverpool director wanted him to be his first signing, Rodrygo. I went to England, sat in London, Liverpool have an office in London. I brought the proposal to Modesto [Roma Junior], then president of Santos. Modesto didn’t accept.

"It turned out that Santos didn’t want to sell Rodrygo and instead made the first professional contract. But it was Rodrygo’s first official proposal, he was 16 and it was Liverpool.”

Arsenal are believed to be monitoring the player's situation at the Bernabeu, which could ultimately result in Rodrygo moving to the Emirates Stadium. According to Sky Deutschland, talks have begun between the Gunners, their new transfer chief Andrea Berta, and his representatives.

While Rodrygo has mainly been deployed on the right for Los Blancos, he is capable of playing on either wing and Arteta has prioritised both the signings of a centre-forward and a left-winger this summer; Rodrygo fits the bill when it comes to the latter.

Asked about being linked with players like Rodrygo on Thursday, Arteta said: “If you want to win major trophies, you have to be the best in the market, no? The teams that win always have the best players.

“I wouldn’t like to name a player, but there is pride because we have brought the club into a position that next season people are saying: ‘You have to win a major trophy.’ And that means that everybody believes, and that we are an elite team in this country and in Europe. The biggest statement is that Arsenal is there.

“What is clear with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat and we need firepower. Understanding that the context can change tomorrow, we cannot rely just on the numbers that we had before. We have to add goals, creativity, and we have to add numbers, and that will be in different positions.”

Since moving to the Spanish capital in 2019, Rodrygo has won two Champions League titles and three La Liga titles, contributing 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances for the European giants.