Liverpool ‘serious’ about beating Real Madrid in race for €60 million Brazilian whizkid | OneFootball

In the summer of 2022, Real Madrid pipped Liverpool to the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni.

While Jurgen Klopp was rumoured to have engaged in private conversations with the 22-year-old, his sights were always set on joining the European champions. It seems as if the two clubs are set to go head-to-head in the race to sign yet another highly-rated midfielder.

As reported by SPORT (h/t Liverpool Echo), the Reds are ‘extremely serious’ about signing Joao Gomes, and could pip Real Madrid to fork out a €60 million fee towards his release clause.

However, it is interesting to note that Carlo Ancelotti’s side have considered the possibility of finalising a deal for the Brazilian as soon as in the January transfer window.

A factor behind the club’s willingness to complete a deal for the Flamengo star is because they eye him as the rightful heir to Casemiro’s throne, who joined Manchester United this summer.

It has been mentioned that Los Blancos would rather not trigger the 21-year-old’s clause, while Liverpool could do so to right their wrongs after facing defeat in their bid to sign Tchouameni.

While it was possible for both clubs to sign Gomes at a snip in the summer, the wonderkid was tied down to a long-term contract till 2027 as recently as in September.

With Liverpool’s failure to wrap up a deal for both Gomes and Tchouameni in the summer, their midfield has suffered due to a lack of much-needed investment.

The same cannot be said for Real Madrid, as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are virtually ageless, whilst Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni look primed to carry the baton for the next decade.

Only time will tell how willing the club is to sign Joao Gomes, with Jude Bellingham also seemingly on their radar.