Liverpool is set to battle with arch-rivals Manchester United for the signature of a Real Madrid star, according to new transfer reports.
Arne Slot‘s side is now no doubt preparing for another big summer transfer window, as they attempt to right the wrongs of a disappointing 2025/26 season.
Indeed, at the time of writing, despite spending an eye-watering £446m last summer, the Merseyside giants sit five points outside of the top four positions in the Premier League, with three league games on the spin now without a win.
It really has been a nightmare second season at the Anfield helm for the Dutchman, but he looks as if he will be backed in the coming months, if he holds onto his precarious job post.
Already, £60m has been dropped on young centre-back sensation Jeremy Jacquet, with attacking targets such as Michael Olise no doubt costing a pretty penny, as well, to get through the door.
Liverpool might also go down the wheeler-dealer route for some additional reinforcements at the back, as they allegedly eye up a free transfer deal for his former Chelsea centre-back.
Liverpool battle with Manchester United for free agent
After all, the reigning Premier League champions have hit gold in recent years when shopping on the cheap, with Joel Matip entering the building on a free transfer back in 2016, before going on to establish himself as a titan at Anfield.
Moreover, James Milner was viewed as a trusty part of the Liverpool camp for many years, after he joined for nothing in 2015, when his Manchester City contract had expired.
Liverpool Career Stats for Milner and Matip:
| Statistic | Milner (2015-2023) | Matip (2016-2024) |
| Total appearances | 332 | 201 |
| Goals scored | 26 | 11 |
| Assists | 46 | 6 |
| Clean sheets in the Premier League | 71 | 54 |
| Trophies won | 7 | 7 |
Italian outlet TuttoSport is now speculating that Liverpool could try to win their next diamond in the rough in the form of Real Madrid colossus Antonio Rudiger, as his Los Blancos contract comes to a close at the end of the season.
Slot’s men are not alone in their interest, though, with Juventus already reportedly in talks with the one-time Stamford Bridge defender.
Alongside The Old Lady, Manchester United are noted as being keen, but could well pull out of any potential deal to come if they manage to tie Harry Maguire to an extended deal at Old Trafford.
Rudiger would back himself to be a success at Liverpool, in much the same way as Matip and Milner, with the German a serial trophy winner wherever he’s been across his varied career.
13 major honours have been hoisted aloft by the 33-year-old, playing for both Chelsea and Real Madrid, with his rock-solid reputation at the Blues leading to 53 clean sheets coming his way in Premier League action from 133 outings.
Scoring nine times in the Premier League, too, this has all the makings of being a terrific free transfer capture, if it came to fruition, as Slot goes about rebuilding after a turbulent campaign.
