Exclusive: 'World class' £39m Real Madrid star well aware Liverpool would like to sign him

Rodrygo Goes’ camp know that long-time admirers Liverpool are still interested in signing him but the Brazil star will not join the Premier League outfit as long as he is part of Real Madrid’s plans.

• Exclusive from Graeme Bailey

While the arrival of Kylian Mbappe and the emergence of Arda Guler have cast doubt on his future, Rodrygo Goes remains an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s set-up at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He is so often the man Los Blancos can count on when they need a late goal in high-pressure games. Rodrygo scored twice at the death as Real Madrid stunned Manchester City in the 2022 Champions League semi-finals for instance.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola called Rodrygo ‘a great player’ around that time.

And, having started five of seven La Liga games so far in 2024/25, the skilful 23-year-old forward clearly still has a massive part to play.

TBR understands that interest from long-time admirers Liverpool remains.

Rodrygo’s camp are aware that he is still on the radar of the Premier League giants too, having first caught their eye seven years ago.

TBR can also confirm that Liverpool enquired about Rodrygo as well as midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni this summer too, only to be told in no uncertain terms that neither player would be allowed to leave Real Madrid.

Liverpool are still targeting Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes

While Rodrygo’s people are flattered by Liverpool’s interest, the former Santos starlet has made it clear that he will not consider leaving the Spanish capital unless he is told that he is no longer a key part of their plans.

Given Rodrygo’s ability to play on the right-hand side, he is arguably more important than ever.

As Mbappe and Vinicius Jr drift over to the left, the balance Rodrygo provides on the opposite flank is integral to Ancelotti’s hopes of making such a star-studded frontline click.

Labelled ‘world-class’ by Real Madrid veteran Luka Modric in conversation with reporters this week, Rodrygo is perhaps the most underrated footballer on the planet. So often overshadowed by his more vaunted team-mates, his penchant for big goals at big moments is almost unrivalled.

The £39 million signing scored 17 last term, in addition to nine assists.

TBR have been told that Arsenal, Chelsea and the aforementioned Man City have all made enquiries too over the last 12 months.

However, Liverpool have tracked Rodrygo’s progress since his Santos days. When he was only 16 years of age, and far from a household name.

Jurgen Klopp wanted Rodrygo when he was a teenager at Santos

“There was a period when there was very serious interest from Liverpool. The values ​​were very low (at the time), but they wanted to go,” former Santos coach and one-time Man City midfielder Elano once told ESPN Brasil.

“He already had decision making power, even at a young age. I believe so much in his personality.”

Rodrygo’s agent, meanwhile, claimed that Jurgen Klopp had first caught wind of the the-then teenage talent when scouring YouTube for the best up and coming Brazilian talent.

Liverpool these days potentially view Rodrygo as a long-term Mo Salah replacement.

“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, and had already come to see Rodrygo personally,” Nick Accuri said back in 2020.

“He had gone on YouTube, searched ‘talents from Brazil’, and Rodrygo had appeared. Klopp liked him.  

“[Liverpool] contacted me. I went to England and sat in London – Liverpool have an office in London. I brought the proposal to Modesto, then president of Santos. Modesto didn’t accept.

“It turned out that Santos didn’t want to sell Rodrygo and instead [handed him his] first professional contract. But it was Rodrygo’s first official proposal.

“He was 16 and it was Liverpool.”