Rodri move to Real Madrid could SCUPPER Liverpool transfer | OneFootball

Liverpool were heavily linked with moves for a defensive midfielder this summer, as they pondered whether to strengthen the spine of their team.

The Anfield side have been attempting to bolster their midfield since Fabinho departed for Saudi Arabia a year ago, but were unable to complete deals for their priority targets.

READ MORE: Two European giants want Mo Salah

Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia instead opted to join Chelsea last summer, while Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi decided to remain at his boyhood club this time around.

According to the Daily Mail though, the Reds have now been exploring a move to sign England international Adam Wharton.

Liverpool could face competition

The 20-year-old joined the Eagles in a £22 million move from Blackburn Rovers in January and quickly caught the eye of many top teams with his seamless transition into the top flight.

His impressive second half to the Premier League campaign earned him a spot in England's Euro 2024 squad, although he didn’t play a single minute at the tournament, and wasn’t named in Lee Carsley’s first squad this month.

Despite that, Crystal Palace reportedly value their midfielder at £100m, and Liverpool are set to face competition from Premier League rivals for the starlet.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 1: Adam Wharton during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace FC at Stamford Bridge on September 1, 2024 in London, United Kingdom. Photo by Sebastian Frej EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications Chelsea FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League Copyright: xSebastianxFrejx

Manchester City are also said to be interested, and could step up that interest significantly if they lose fellow defensive midfielder Rodri to Real Madrid.

The Spaniard has been crucial to City’s success in recent seasons, scoring the winner in the Champions League final against Inter in Istanbul, to seal the treble a year ago.

Rodri followed that by helping Spain win the Euros this summer, and Duncan Castles on the Transfers Podcast says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has made the midfielder his top target.

That would leave Manchester City needing a replacement, and could mean they could go all out for Wharton, increasing the size of Liverpool’s task to win the race for the midfielder’s signature.

Rodri move to Real Madrid could SCUPPER Liverpool transfer 8 mins ago by Arjun Subramanian

Liverpool back in for TWO new defenders 1 hour ago by Arjun Subramanian

Van Dijk CRITICISED for key moment in Netherlands win 2 hours ago by George James