In the final stretch of the transfer window, Liverpool made a late effort to acquire Real Madrid’s midfielder Federico Valverde for a substantial £86.5 million. The move was prompted by a string of injuries to key midfielders such as Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Fabio Carvalho, Curtis Jones, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, leading Liverpool to seek reinforcements.
Despite prior speculations linking Valverde to Anfield, Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp, decided to make a significant bid for the Uruguayan midfielder. The offer, totaling £86.5 million, was presented in the closing days of the summer transfer window, as reported by Diario AS. However, Real Madrid promptly rejected the proposal, deeming it ‘brutal’ and ‘offensive.’ The Spanish club held a firm stance against parting with Valverde, particularly in the late stages of the transfer window. If accepted, the proposed fee would have marked Valverde as the second most expensive sale in Real Madrid’s history, surpassed only by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus in 2018.
Despite Liverpool’s persistent pursuit, Real Madrid found the offer unacceptable. Valverde, with a contract extending until the summer of 2027, had recently signed an extension last summer. The 24-year-old midfielder has become a crucial part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, amassing 155 appearances for the club and contributing two goals in the current campaign.
In response to the setback, Klopp ultimately secured Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo on a season-long loan deal, including an option to buy for £32 million. This move addressed Liverpool’s midfield concerns and added depth to the squad, providing a solution to their late-window struggles.
