Arsenal could now steal a deal for the Liverpool FC target Arsenal could now steal a deal for the Liverpool FC target

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

Mikel Arteta will be looking to bolster his attacking line at Arsenal in

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.

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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 person

“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.

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“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.”