Liverpool do not have fond memories of going head-to-head with Real Madrid in recent years.
The Reds have done battle with the Spanish giants a number of times both on and off the pitch. They’ve lost every time.
It was bad enough that Madrid dumped Liverpool out of three consecutive Champions League’s between 2020 and 2022. It was worse that they toppled Jurgen Klopp’s team in two finals.
But it also stung at Anfield that the 14-time European champions also seemed intent on defeating Liverpool off the field. The Reds were pipped to the transfer of Aurelien Tchouameni in 2022 and Jude Bellingham a year later.
And speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that Florentino Perez could now steal in and beat Liverpool to yet another transfer target.
Liverpool pessimistic in Leny Yoro chase
As has been reported a little while back, Liverpool are looking to sign a new centre-back this summer.
Although a number of players are supposedly on their radar, Lille’s Leny Yoro has emerged as a strong contender.
Reports on Saturday claimed that Liverpool are now ‘forcefully’ looking to beat Real Madrid, PSG and Man United to Yoro. However, Bailey claims that although the Reds do ‘love’ the 18-year-old, they suspect he’s off to the Bernabeu.
“In terms of Yoro, from what I’m told the English clubs who are interested in him, which is a lot – Chelsea, United, Liverpool – they all love him. But they think he wants to go to Real Madrid,” says the journalist.
“So, that’s the issue with him. I’m not saying he would turn down any of these clubs, but from what I’m told his preference is Madrid,” Bailey adds. “We know they might be in the market for one, so we’ll see how that plays out.
“I think if he’s available Liverpool would be in the market for him because he’s a top, top prospect, he really is, he’s only 18. But he wouldn’t be cheap. I’m not sure he’s the top one on Liverpool’s list just because they don’t think he’s attainable at this point.”
How much Liverpool could pay for Leny Yoro
It’s no wonder Yoro is in high demand. The teenager has looked completely at home in Lille’s back line this season.
As a young, up and coming centre-back, you could see how he could slot into the Liverpool squad, too.
At one stage this term Yoro was even winning more duels than Virgil van Dijk. He could be a wonderful long-term successor to the Liverpool captain.
As Bailey says though, the France U21 international would not come at all cheap. According to The Athletic, Lille have previously put a price-tag of around £85m on Yoro.
Although they do make exceptions – as they did with Van Dijk – that doesn’t seem like a fee FSG would pay, especially for an 18-year-old. Perez and Madrid would perhaps have no such qualms.
With just a year left on his deal though, Lille are not in a strong position. Anything could still happen.