FABRIZIO ROMANO CLARIFIES REAL MADRID’S STANCE ON SELLING LIVERPOOL TARGET EDUARDO CAMAVINGA
Fabrizio Romano reveals Real Madrid's stance on Camavinga as Liverpool battles Man Utd for Maghnes Akliouche.
Liverpool is going head-to-head with Manchester United for a talented winger who could step in for Mohamed Salah. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has weighed in on Real Madrid’s position regarding a possible sale of a major Liverpool midfield target.
With Salah officially confirming he’ll leave Anfield at the end of the season, Liverpool have agreed to let him go for free, waiving the final year of his contract as a mark of respect for what he’s done for the club.
RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande looks like the favourite to replace Salah. But Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche has become a serious option, too.
Both Liverpool and United have ramped up their interest in Akliouche, recently sending scouts to watch him in Monaco’s 2-1 win over Marseille. Liverpool sees him as a real target after Salah’s departure, mainly because of his versatility, creativity, and potential for growth.
They’ve checked in on other top wingers like Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola, but Akliouche seems to be a more realistic option. Monaco is open to a sale, but wants about €70 million (about £61 million).
United, though, are now in the mix as well. So Liverpool has some competition for Akliouche, who tallied seven goals and eight assists in his 37 games this season.
On the Real Madrid front, French outlet L’Equipe claims the club could be willing to sell Eduardo Camavinga, a player Liverpool wants for their midfield. Romano responded, saying that while Madrid isn’t shoving Camavinga out the door, they would consider a strong offer from Liverpool.
Romano made it clear: Camavinga’s still a key part of Madrid’s plans, even if his form’s dipped a bit lately. Madrid doesn’t want to lose him unless a really attractive deal comes along. If no huge offer arrives, they simply keep him.
Some whispers suggest Camavinga could be available for as little as €50 million (£44 million), but the real price is likely to be closer to €70 million.
Back at Liverpool, Paul Joyce reports that FSG’s confidence in new boss Arne Slot will get tested soon, with a tough run of fixtures featuring PSG, Everton, Man United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke even says Liverpool would be ready to sack Slot if things go sour and the atmosphere turns toxic.
Former player Steve Nicol has also changed his mind about Slot. Initially, he pushed back on the idea of bringing in Xabi Alonso, but now he admits that, given the current options, he’d go for Alonso if Slot departs. In Nicol’s eyes, if Slot leaves, Alonso wouldn’t be a bad solution; nobody else stands out as a better pick.
WHY IS LIVERPOOL HESITATING TO HIRE XABI ALONSO DESPITE OVERWHELMING FAN SUPPORT?
Liverpool has contacted Real Madrid to investigate Xabi Alonso’s tenure, as pressure grows on current manager Arne Slot at Anfield.
Liverpool have reached out to Real Madrid to ask about Xabi Alonso, but honestly, there’s some debate going on behind the scenes. People have been talking about Alonso stepping in at Anfield, especially since Arne Slot’s season hasn’t gone over well. Fans let out some boos after that 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and the mood is pretty tense. Even though Slot led Liverpool to a league title last year, quite a few supporters seem fed up with him and would rather see Alonso take charge.
But Spanish outlet AS says Liverpool have contacted Real Madrid to get the inside scoop on what happened during Alonso’s time at the club. It sounds like the decision-makers at Liverpool are starting to feel unsure about him, and they might actually stick with Slot for another season.
Alonso landed the Real Madrid job last summer after doing wonders at Bayer Leverkusen. Still, just six months in, Madrid let him go, reportedly because the locker room was falling apart. Liverpool’s relationship with Real Madrid is strong, and they apparently want some honest feedback – kind of like asking for a reference from a past employer, which isn’t unusual.
Liverpool’s spot in next year’s Champions League is almost locked in, but with two games left, it’s not guaranteed yet. When asked about the boos, Slot admitted he has some work to do to win fans over.
He said, “Not this season. Fans won’t change their minds now. But if we get the summer we’re planning, I’m convinced we’ll be a different team next season. Results, style, everything. It’s not always easy, though. Sometimes you know what needs fixing, but getting what you want isn’t so simple. This season, it’s been pretty clear what we’re missing. We’re trying to solve it, but one issue is simply having enough fit players. Still, our guys show every week in the second half that they’re giving everything they’ve got.”
PREMIER LEAGUE ALERT: LIVERPOOL MONITORING MBAPPE AS REAL MADRID RELATIONSHIP HITS BREAKING POINT
Is the Madrid dream over? Real Madrid may open the door for Mbappe's exit as Premier League giants prepare massive financial bids.
Kylian Mbappe has recently caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, amid the ongoing issues at Real Madrid, according to sources shared with StadiumNest.
At 27, Mbappé has found himself at the centre of various conflicts involving staff and teammates at Los Blancos. These tensions have fuelled talk of significant changes within the squad.
Amid this unrest, a petition calling for Mbappe to leave Madrid has been circulating and has gathered over 30 million signatures.
As discussed on the latest Football Insider Transfer Insider podcast, Premier League teams are closely monitoring the situation, ready to make a move if Real Madrid decides to let Mbappe go.
Though a transfer still seems unlikely at this stage, some of the Premier League’s wealthiest clubs are alert to the possibility, with Liverpool potentially considering him as a target.
Wasn’t Liverpool already linked to Mbappe before?
Yes, back in 2023, Football Insider reported that Liverpool showed interest in Mbappe before he eventually joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
While multiple English clubs explored bringing him over, Mbappe initially had his sights set solely on Madrid. However, the relationship there seems to have become strained.
On the pitch, the season has been turbulent, and behind the scenes, the conflicts have only added to concerns with Mbappe involved in several incidents.
During the Transfer Insider podcast, I pointed out, "I'm pretty sure Liverpool and others would jump at the chance to sign Mbappe. He’s undeniably one of the world’s top players.
“There’s been a lot of drama around him this season, coupled with Real Madrid’s current issues.
“Landing him would be a dream for the Premier League because he’s arguably football’s biggest star right now. It’d be exciting to see him in England.
“Of course, it would mean a massive financial commitment. Between transfer fees and wages, only a handful of clubs could handle that.
“But if Real Madrid do open the door, expect the Premier League’s top clubs to make their case. Opportunities to sign a player like Mbappe don’t come along often.”
Why might Liverpool consider bringing Mbappe in?
Liverpool have been among the Premier League’s biggest spenders, breaking their own transfer record twice just last summer, putting them among the few clubs with the financial muscle to afford Mbappe.
Beyond his star power and goal-scoring prowess, the Reds are facing concerns over their striking options this summer.
Football Insider reported on April 17 that Liverpool is planning to add a striker. Hugo Ekitike won’t be available until 2027 due to an Achilles injury.
Meanwhile, Alexander Isak, their record signing from Newcastle, has struggled to find consistent form and fitness early on at Anfield.
As a result, Liverpool is exploring several possible striker additions. While a massive investment seems unlikely, the chance to sign someone like Mbappe might be too tempting to ignore.
