Liverpool line up big-money move for Real Madrid star as Reds identify Mohamed Salah successor: Reports

Liverpool are reportedly interested in breaking the bank to sign Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who has been identified as an apt replacement for Mohamed Salah, next summer.

The Reds are currently in a bit of a fix with Salah's contract set to expire next June. They are believed to be preparing a new contract offer for the Egyptian but reports claim that the forward could depart next year.

Now, according to Football365, Liverpool have earmarked Rodrygo as a successor to Salah and are willing to table a significant bid to sign the Real Madrid star. Reds head coach Arne Slot is an admirer of the Brazilian, who could leave due to a loss of prominence at his club.

However, the potential operation is unlikely to be easy next summer. Rodrygo has a release clause in the region of £830 million and Los Merengues are uninterested in selling the 23-year-old ex-Santos star.

Since leaving Santos for around £38 million in 2019, Rodrygo has made 227 total appearances for Real Madrid. He has bagged 57 goals and provided 43 assists in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti's side so far.

Liverpool lambasted over handling of Real Madrid transfer target's contract situation

Speaking recently on talkSPORT, ex-Chelsea defender Jason Cundy hit out at the Reds for failing to secure Trent Alexander-Arnold's future at the club. He said (h/t Mirror):

"He's 26... to allow him to go, that is ridiculous for me. His contract is going to expire. How are we having this conversation, why is this conversation taking place? This conversation is obsolete, because the contract, as far as we're aware, hasn't taken place. I'm stunned, we're in October. If you value the player enough at your club, they should not go into the final two years of their contract."

Cundy, who represented Chelsea 51 times as a player, continued:

"He's 26 years of age... obviously he wants to stay, he's been there since he was six. 20 years he's been at the football club, he's very much part of their future. For us to be having a conversation about what might happen to him on the first of January... he can sign a pre-contract with Real Madrid. That's three months away, think about that. That is insane... [to] walk [away] for nothing."

Alexander-Arnold, 26, has registered 19 goals and 83 assists in 319 games across competitions for Liverpool since his senior debut in 2016.

Apart from Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is also in the final nine months of his current Reds deal.