Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 16 - First Leg - FCSB v Olympique Lyonnais - Arena Nationala, Bucharest, Romania - March 6, 2025 Olympique Lyonnais' Malick Fofana celebrates scoring their third goal Inquam Photos via REUTERS/Octav Ganea ROMANIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ROMANIA. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Liverpool are tracking Lyon’s Malick Fofana and RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa as alternatives if they are not able to sign their top target Rodrygo this summer. The Reds are preparing for life without Luis Diaz who is set to sign a four year contract with Bayern Munich after a €75m deal was struck between the two clubs.
TEAMTalk has reported that Liverpool will now step up their pursuit of Rodrygo, but could be put off by Real Madrid’s €90m asking price. The 24 year old has scored 68 goals and added 51 assists in 270 games for Madrid, but has grown frustrated with a lack of opportunity in his preferred position on the left wing.
Rodrygo has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer, after new boss Xabi Alonso left him out of the starting line up for all of Madrid’s Club World Cup matches this summer. He has also been linked to Arsenal and Tottenham and any deal for the player is considered to be difficult given his age and length of contract.
Liverpool have now identified two alternatives in the shape of youngsters Fofana and Nusa.
Lyon’s Fofana impressed last season, scoring 11 goals and adding six assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton are also keen on the player, and have had an offer of £31.5million, plus add-ons, rejected by Lyon.
The French club value the 20 year-old at €50million including add-ons and discussions are ongoing between the clubs. Liverpool could weigh up a bid to hijack the move and can offer the player a Champions League football.
Liverpool eye Fofana, Nusa if Rodrygo bid fails
If a deal for Fofana becomes difficult, Liverpool are understand to have added RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa to their list as well. €35m is believed to be Leipzig’s asking price for Nusa which would represent a much more attainable figure.
Nusa is also 20 years of age, and notched five goals and seven assists for Leipzig last season. He is highly appreciated by the Reds hierarchy.
Diaz’s departure has also added fuel to the fire of Liverpool’s interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. Newcastle’s £150m asking price is believed to be a huge stumbling block though, and Liverpool would likely have to sell more players to raise funds for any potential move.
Darwin Nunez is another expected departure along with Federico Chiesa who is in search of more playing time.
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