Liverpool Transfer News: Real Madrid star 'almost' made €3m Anfield transfer

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes turned down the opportunity to move to Liverpool for just €3m back in 2017.

The 23-year-old, who joined Real Madrid from Santos in 2019, has developed into one of the world's best attackers and has scored 15 times in 42 games in all competitions so far in 2023/24.

Rodrygo has two La Liga titles to his name, among other club honours, and was part of the side that beat Liverpool in the 2022 Champions League final.

He could have been on the other side, however, had things panned out differently.

In an interview with the Guardian, the Brazil international revealed that he said no to the Reds back in 2017, choosing instead to remain at Santos.

'I almost went to Liverpool'

He is quoted as saying: “We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good. The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career. I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football.

“It had always been my dream to play in Europe. Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club. And that’s what happened: I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool.”

The Guardian's report claims the deal on the table for then 16-year-old was just €3m.

Two years later, Santos would agree a move worth 15 times that figure, as Rodrygo transferred to Madrid for around €45m.

Recent reports have suggested that Liverpool's interest in the forward has never really gone away and the Reds could return with interest this summer as they look at possible long-term Mohamed Salah successors.

Elsewhere, it has been reported that Liverpool's hierarchy already have eyes on the next Brazilian wonderkid and are tracking Palmeiras' 16-year-old Estevao, nicknamed Messinho.