As Liverpool continue to look for opportunities to bolster their squad, some opinions from Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino on one of their targets have emerged
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino believes Liverpool would be signing a top quality player if they buy Real Madrid ace Rodrygo. The Reds have been chasing Alexander Isak, but Newcastle United have held firm despite a mega-money offer.
The Magpies recently rebuffed a bid worth £120m for the Swede’s services. Reports have claimed Arne Slot’s side are not planning to make a second bid but are monitoring the situation between Isak and the Magpies, with the player recently returning to the club. The striker had spent a period of time training alone at the facilities of his former club Real Sociedad, after he did not travel to Asia for Newcastle’s pre-season tour.
However, reports from Brazil have also claimed the Merseysiders are shifting their attention to Rodrygo, whose price tag at the Spanish giants is said to have dropped. One report has even claimed an informal agreement over personal terms has been agreed between the Brazilian and the defending Premier League champions.
Considering his previous comments on Rodrygo, Merino would be worried by Liverpool’s strength as a rival club if he arrived on Merseyside. Before the Gunners faced Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals second leg last season, Merino was asked which player at Los Blancos would he want to play with.
Despite having the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior to choose from, he opted for Rodrygo. He told El Partidazo de COPE: “They are all players of a very high level, I love them all, but I have already said that I would like to play with him [Rodrygo].
“He is very good technically; between the lines, he plays very well, he runs into space well. I really enjoy watching him play.
“It’s a profile that every midfielder would like to play with. It’s a profile that every midfielder would like to play with.”
Arsenal explored an opportunity to bring Rodrygo to the Emirates Stadium, but they instead opted to sign Chelsea star Noni Madueke for £52m. Reports from ESPN Brazil have claimed Liverpool made contact with Rodrygo’s agents and could soon make a first formal bid for his services.
It has separately been claimed that Liverpool have already spoken to Rodrygo’s people, and that he has given an early green light to personal terms with the Reds.
However, as for the move itself, it remains early days, with nothing official or formal seemingly having been agreed as of yet. However, what is clear is Liverpool are looking for more firepower in their frontline.
Despite signing Florian Wirtz for a Premier League record £116m and French forward Hugo Ekitike for £79m, while also holding onto Mohamed Salah, Slot still wants more options in his forward line. Luis Diaz recently departed Anfield to join Bayern Munich for £65m and striker Darwin Nunez has been identified as a target by Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, Isak is still stuck in a stand-off with Newcastle, although it appears a second bid will not be forthcoming from the Reds as of yet. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe recently admitted he does not know what will happen going forward.
After they drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur in the final match of their tour of Asia, Howe, reacting to Liverpool’s bid, said: “I don’t know what happens next. From our perspective, we still support Alex in every way and my wish is that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.”
Isak was pictured returning to Newcastle’s training ground on Monday morning for talks on the current situation.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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