Real Madrid is set to trigger a deal for a star midfielder from Liverpool following their UEFA Champions League exit. The club aims to revamp its midfield and defense amid a trophy drought.
Real Madrid to trigger deal for star Liverpool midfielder
It sounds as though Real Madrid may soon trigger a deal for a star Liverpool midfielder. Brace yourselves.
Real Madrid crashed out of the UEFA Champions League this week. It almost certainly means they’ll go two straight seasons without a trophy, unless they somehow overhaul a nine-point deficit to Barcelona in La Liga.
The reaction to that is as you’d expect, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that something of an overhaul is coming. Now, they’re not getting rid of any stars, but Real Madrid do intend to restock in midfield and defence.
But it’s the middle of midfield where they want to make the biggest impact. And that should alarm Liverpool.
The Reds are actually in the middle of their own midfield ‘rebuild’. Or at least, they’re busy renewing contracts and sorting out who should be there long-term.
Ryan Gravenberch was now renewed his and will remain at Liverpool for the foreseeable future. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are up next - but the big threat there has always been Real Madrid.
Los Blancos for the last year now, and neither have exactly done what they can to deny a mutual feeling. There’s a real sense that an offer is incoming and it’s been there for a while now.
The specific Liverpool midfielder targeted by Real Madrid has not been disclosed in the current reports.
Real Madrid is looking to overhaul their squad after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League and facing a potential trophyless season.
Real Madrid is currently nine points behind Barcelona in La Liga, making their chances of winning the title challenging.
Liverpool is competing with Manchester United and Real Madrid to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who is under contract until June 2029 with a fee of at least £80 million. Arsenal is also interested in Leicester City's Jeremy Monga, a 16-year-old winger.
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Real Madrid then deciding to focus on midfielders makes some sort of approach inevitable - for one or both. The defeat to Bayern Munich feels like the trigger for it all.
Current Form and Tactical Role
As of 17 April 2026, Dominik Szoboszlai is the creative linchpin of an inconsistent Liverpool side. With 12 goals and eight assists in 47 appearances, the 25-year-old has been praised for his elite durability and versatility. Following Joe Gomez’s injury in the midweek Champions League exit to PSG, Arne Slot has suggested Szoboszlai may even feature at right-back in the upcoming Merseyside derby. Despite recent friction with supporters over a "misunderstanding" regarding his body language after a 4–0 defeat to Manchester City, Szoboszlai remains a vital leader, recently declaring he was "ready to die" for the club during their European campaign.
Contract Status and Market Interest
Liverpool are reportedly "accelerating" talks to extend Szoboszlai’s contract beyond 2028 to ward off interest from Real Madrid. The proposed deal includes a significant pay rise, reflecting his status as a "captain elect" and one of the world's premier midfielders. While pundit Gary Neville recently suggested a £60–70 million valuation, the club hierarchy views the Hungarian as "untouchable," with internal valuations exceeding £100 million. Securing his future is a top priority for Sporting Director Richard Hughes ahead of a summer of significant squad turnover.