Just days ago, reports indicated Liverpool had agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old winger and were preparing a €90m bid to bolster Arne Slot’s attack for the 2025/26 season.
However, Romano’s latest update, shared via his X account and YouTube channel, reveals that Rodrygo has decided to stay at Real Madrid following crunch talks with manager Xabi Alonso, who assured him a more prominent role in the squad.
The collapse of the deal stems from Rodrygo’s renewed commitment to Real Madrid, where he’s contracted until 2028. Despite earlier frustrations over limited minutes—playing just 92 minutes across three Club World Cup games in 2024—and being deployed out of position on the right or as a striker, Rodrygo’s meeting with Alonso clarified his importance to the team.
Romano noted, “Rodrygo has spoken with Real Madrid, and the decision is to stay. He’s happy to fight for his place, and Madrid see him as key for 2025/26.” This follows speculation that Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham were circling, with the Reds viewing Rodrygo as a potential replacement for Luis Díaz, who remains linked to Bayern Munich.
Liverpool’s failure to secure Rodrygo, coupled with their earlier miss on Newcastle’s Alexander Isak—whose £175m move to Arsenal fell through—has left fans frustrated, with many venting on social media about the club’s transfer strategy.
The Reds had hoped Rodrygo’s versatility (68 goals, 51 assists in 270 Real Madrid appearances) and Champions League pedigree would elevate their attack alongside Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. Now, with the Premier League opener against Tottenham on August 16, 2025, looming, Liverpool face pressure to pivot to alternatives. Names like Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins have surfaced, but no deals are imminent.
Adding to the dismay, concerns linger over Ibrahima Konaté’s contract, with the defender’s future uncertain as Real Madrid and PSG monitor his situation. While Liverpool’s squad remains formidable, the collapse of the Rodrygo deal—after such high hopes—has dampened the mood, leaving Slot with a thinner attacking unit than anticipated. Fans are now bracing for a crucial transfer window period, hoping the club can land a marquee signing before the deadline.
