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Liverpool Eye Rodrygo as Mo Salah Successor – But Is This Just Paper Talk?

Liverpool’s Salah Succession Plan Points to Madrid

Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool is once again under scrutiny, and while the club continues to challenge for honours this season, speculation surrounding a summer exit continues to swirl. With his contract expiring in June and no renewal in place, Liverpool are reportedly preparing for life beyond their iconic Egyptian talisman.

According to Fichajes, the Reds are willing to make a €120 million (£100.4 million) bid for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo – a fee that would eclipse the £85 million paid for Darwin Núñez and mark the most expensive signing in the club’s history.

Rodrygo’s Rise at Real Madrid

Rodrygo, 24, has blossomed under Carlo Ancelotti into one of La Liga’s most dynamic wide forwards. With three La Liga titles and two Champions League winners’ medals already to his name, he’s more than just potential – he’s proven quality on the highest stage.

His compatriot Neymar labelled him “a joke” earlier this year, a nod to the outrageous quality Rodrygo displays on a weekly basis in Spain. Agile, explosive and technically gifted, he would undoubtedly excite the Kop – if they ever got to see him in red.

But therein lies the issue.

Real Madrid Unwilling to Sell

Despite the reported interest from both Liverpool and Manchester City, Madrid have made their stance crystal clear. According to the same Fichajes report, the Spanish giants have “no intention whatsoever of selling Rodrygo in the summer transfer window”.

Club president Florentino Pérez views Rodrygo “as a fundamental pillar in the long-term project” and would only entertain a bid that activates his €1bn (£837m) release clause – a figure described as “practically unattainable for any team”.

That kind of valuation isn’t just a deterrent, it’s a statement. Rodrygo is going nowhere.

What Happens Next?

If Salah does decide to depart, Liverpool will need more than just a marquee name – they’ll need someone ready to embrace the pressure, adapt to the Premier League, and deliver from day one. Rodrygo ticks the stylistic boxes, but the price tag and unlikelihood of a sale point to this being an aspirational link rather than a realistic one.

Photo: IMAGO

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From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, there’s a mix of admiration and caution around this Rodrygo talk. He’s undeniably a top-class talent, the type who fits the mould of what Liverpool fans have grown used to: pacy, clinical, and capable of magic moments in tight games.

However, the romanticism around such a signing is often undone by the realism of the modern transfer market. Madrid don’t sell players they deem vital unless their hand is forced – and Rodrygo is anything but expendable in their plans. His €1bn release clause is laughable in practical terms but symbolic in meaning – he’s theirs to keep.

Then there’s Salah. Regardless of contract timelines, his numbers continue to speak for themselves. 243 goals and 110 assists in under 400 appearances is a legacy few will match. Fans aren’t ready to say goodbye, not when there’s still a title to chase and possibly more silverware ahead under Slot.

If and when Salah leaves, the pressure on his successor will be immense. Whether it’s Rodrygo or someone else, they’ll need more than a hefty price tag – they’ll need the mentality to thrive at Anfield. And Liverpool fans know from experience: that kind of player doesn’t always come with a Madrid pedigree, but with the right heart.