Transfer Show: Liverpool walk away from Rodrygo transfer due to wage expectations | OneFootball

Rodrygo’s wage demands halt Liverpool interest despite agent talks

As Liverpool continue to reshape their attack under Arne Slot, one of the names that emerged in recent weeks was Rodrygo of Real Madrid. However, on The Transfer Show podcast, Dave Davis and Trev Downey discussed how the deal has cooled, with wages proving a major stumbling block.

“Rodrygo’s not viewed as a possible replacement”

Early in the segment, Dave Davis confirmed, “James Pearce was spot on with this the other night… Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is currently not viewed as a possible replacement.” That statement was echoed by other journalists including David Lynch, and it reflects the latest internal view from Liverpool.

Despite previous talks, the club are no longer pursuing Rodrygo, largely because of financial reasons. “There have been talks with Rodrygo’s camp, his family,” Davis said, before revealing the key sticking point: “Young Rodrygo… Trev, 400,000 euros a week, you know, for the basic wage ask.”

Wage expectations that rival club legends

To put Rodrygo’s demands into perspective, Davis continued: “That’s Alisson, VVD salary levels… and that’s before bonuses and other things as well.” Given Liverpool’s structured wage system, those numbers make a deal unworkable.

The message was clear: this is not a case of a club backing away from talent, but rather standing firm against a wage model that would disrupt the dressing room hierarchy.

Trev Downey, reflecting on the potential move, added, “It really is possibly one of the only destinations that Rodrygo could point himself towards as well.” Yet even Bayern Munich, another potential suitor, appear reluctant. Davis explained, “Rodrygo… ruled out Arsenal. PSG? Luis Enrique’s made it clear he loves Dembele as the false nine.”

Agent involvement not enough to push the deal forward

One of the central figures in the Rodrygo story is his agent. Davis shared that “Pini Zahavi, the super agent’s been involved,” and that the negotiations had reached the discussion stage. However, wage expectations remained unchanged.

“Whether it’s all Pini… ask his agent, ask him for it. 400,000 euros a week,” said Davis, reiterating just how far Rodrygo’s team are from Liverpool’s ceiling. Downey added, “That’s exactly the kind of number that puts a club like Liverpool off.”

Implications for Liverpool’s forward plans

With Rodrygo now firmly off the table, Liverpool’s transfer strategy continues to focus on value and sustainability. It also impacts the wider transfer dominoes, particularly with outgoings.

Players like Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton, both linked with West Ham, could have helped raise funds or free up space. But with Rodrygo’s demands impossible to meet, the club is turning its attention elsewhere.

Instead, as Davis noted, “Malick Fofana – Liverpool are having a real good look at him.” Fofana, by contrast, fits Liverpool’s traditional profile: younger, lower wages, and room to develop under Slot.

No deal for now – and possibly not at all

Summing up the situation, Davis was clear: “I think right now that’s just completely off the table unless something changes and there’s a DFS-style sale.” For a player who was once seen as a rising star in Madrid, Rodrygo may now face the reality that his next move depends as much on financial compromise as it does football ambition.

As it stands, Liverpool are no longer in active pursuit, and any hopes of a transfer have been paused by a wage demand that few clubs are willing to entertain.