Liverpool star's agent 'would love' for him to join Real Madrid, but concedes move is now 'impossible'

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - OCTOBER 23: Standing: (L-R) Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool, Cody Gakpo of Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool, Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool, Darwin Nunez of Liverpool, Kostas Tsimikas of Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold of Liverpool, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League match between RB Leipzig v Liverpool at the Red Bull Arena on October 23, 2024 in Leipzig Germany (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Liverpool first team line up (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool are close to a conclusion on the contract situation that has so far plagued this year, with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah set to sign new two-year deals, though the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold is still unclear.

Real Madrid look increasingly likely to sign Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer in the summer, with reports highlighting how the Liverpool man has already agreed terms on a move to the Bernabeu.

But while the full-back looks set to end up in the Spanish capital later this year, the agent of another key Reds player has revealed that he "would love" for him to play for Los Blancos in the future despite them still having three years remaining on their current deal.

Liverpool star's agent dreams of Real Madrid move

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in action against Manchester City

Alexander-Arnold looks set to depart Anfield this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool signed Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 for £34m, with the Dutchman developing into a key player for the first team under Arne Slot after a largely underwhelming first team at Anfield. Having struggled for game time at Bayern, Gravenberch and his agent, Jose Fortes Rodriguez, wanted to leave, with Liverpool the best destination for him to continue his development.

"Ryan needed playing time to develop," Rodriguez told Marca. "I told Nagelsmann [Bayern's coach at the time] that if he didn't play, he would leave. We were clear that he had to go to Liverpool; he fit in perfectly with this team."

Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England.

Gravenberch has been key for Liverpool this season (Image credit: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Now, though, Rodriguez has made clear his desire for the midfielder to play for Real Madrid in the future, despite Gravenberch's Liverpool deal running until 2028. He does also concede that the 22-year-old's performances and contract length makes him indispensable.

"He's good enough for Real Madrid," Rodriguez added. "We would love for him to play for them, but Liverpool would ask for a lot of money.

"I know they've had their eye on him, but now it's impossible."

Now valued at €70m by Transfermarkt, there is potential that Gravenberch could sign for Real Madrid in the future if he decides to run his contract down at Liverpool. He will be just 26 when his current deal expires, offering him the perfect opportunity to sign for Los Blancos - provided they still want him, of course.

Raul Jimenez of Fulham battles with Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield on December 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England

Gravenberch challenges for the ball (Image credit: Getty Images)

There was an opportunity for Gravenberch to sign for Barcelona early in his career as well, but he decided to stay at Ajax and gain regular first team experience there before expanding his horizons.

"When Ryan was 16, Barca called us," Rodriguez said. "They wanted to sign him, but his father and I prioritised his development. At Ajax, he was able to develop in a way that he possibly wouldn't have at Barca."

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.