Real Madrid launch £100m+ offer to sign “outstanding” Liverpool star

Real Madrid have reportedly launched a shock £100m+ offer to sign a Liverpool star that Arne Slot loves.

Real Madrid launch £100m+ offer to sign Liverpool star

It’s Liverpool’s most important January transfer window since the departure of Jurgen Klopp. The Reds have been well below-par this season, forcing Slot into quite the tactical retreat despite having such a star-studded attack to choose from.

The Dutchman has at least stopped the defensive rot in recent weeks, but it has come at a cost. From goals galore, the Premier League champions have looked a shadow of the team that were crowned just one season ago.

It’s not on the pitch that they’ve had problems, either. Mohamed Salah’s outburst in December caused plenty of controversy before he was restored to the squad and now Alexis Mac Allister has dropped some concerning hints.

The midfielder spoke about Liverpool’s recent form ahead of their clash against Fulham, telling reporters that too many things have changed at Anfield.

It’s the last thing that Slot needs to hear, especially from an underperforming player. That is, however, the reality that the Reds find themselves in. After so much change, they are yet to rediscover their best form.

Unfortunately for Mac Allister though, there could be more change on the way. It’s no secret that Liverpool need another central defender and Marc Guehi remains a target.

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Meanwhile, there could yet be some outgoings. According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid have now launched an offer to sign Ryan Gravenberch worth as much as €120m (£105m), leaving those at Anfield shellshocked.

Liverpool must keep hold of Gravenberch

The Spanish giants are reportedly ready to torment Liverpool once again, having already signed Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer. This time around, however, the Reds are ready to fend off any interest from the Bernabeu and have already reportedly opened talks to extend Gravenberch’s contract.

It’s easy to see why Liverpool are so keen to keep hold of their midfielder too. He has become a crucial player in Slot’s best side and the manager hasn’t been shy with his praise – telling reporters last season: “Impressed, like everyone who was in the stadium or saw the game.

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“Ryan did outstanding again today. Without the ball, he was mostly in our last line, had to play sometimes against a nine, against wingers who are really fast.”

The player, himself, also seems keen to stay and could put pen to paper on a new deal to end any speculation about a Real Madrid move, much to the relief of those at Anfield.

Celtic can sack Nancy by hiring a manager who’s top of the league in England

Celtic have entered the January transfer window in a position that they may not have expected to be in when the season kicked off in August.

The Hoops are three points behind Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title race, they lost the final of the League Cup to St Mirren, and they have lost five of their last seven matches in all competitions.

Motherwell beat them 2-0 in the Premiership on Tuesday night in what was another dismal showing from Celtic under Wilfried Nancy, whose future has already been called into question.

Why Celtic should sack Wilfried Nancy

Journalist Stephen McGowan described Celtic as “dysfunctional” and stated that the French head coach is in “can’t survive this territory”, such was the disappointing nature of the performance against Motherwell.

Fan account Everything Celtic on X, meanwhile, stated that the former MLS boss “has to go”. Reporter Barry Anderson also claimed that the manager is making a “mess” of his time at Parkhead so far.

It feels harsh to be calling for a manager to go after just seven games in the dugout, but something is clearly not working out for Nancy in Glasgow, as has been pointed out by several journalists and supporters after that loss to Motherwell.

First 7 games of recent Celtic managers

Manager

Losses

Goals conceded

Wilfried Nancy

5

15

Brendan Rodgers

2

6

Ange Postecoglou

2

8

Neil Lennon

0

2

Brendan Rodgers

1

6

Ronny Deila

1

6

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, his start to life at the club has been a disaster in comparison to all of his peers at Parkhead in the last decade or so.

He became the first manager in Celtic’s history to lose his first four matches in charge of the club, but then looked to have turned a bit of a corner with successive wins, only to lose again on Tuesday.

The best course of action, therefore, may be for the board to ruthlessly part ways with the former Columbus Crew manager, and to bring in a new head coach.

The manager Celtic should replace Wilfried Nancy with

After Brendan Rodgers resigned and Martin O’Neill took the job as an interim, plenty of names were linked as possible options for the club to bring in.

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One of those names was Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy. It was even reported that the board had held internal discussions about a move for the League One gaffer, only to end up going for Nancy instead.

The work that he has done with the Bluebirds in England, however, suggests that he may have been a better option than the Frenchman, which is why they should ruthlessly sack Nancy to reignite their interest in the Irish coach.

Appointing a manager from the third tier in England may not be an incredibly attractive proposition, but it is worth remembering that it is the league from which a talent like Matt O’Riley was directly signed from, so there is quality that can come from that level.

Barry-Murphy may not be a promising young player like O’Riley was, but he is a promising young head coach who has done an impressive job with Cardiff this season.

25/26 League One

Cardiff

Club rank

Wins

15

1st

Points

47

1st

Goals

40

2nd

Goals conceded

23

5th

Goal difference

+17

1st

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, the 47-year-old tactician’s team sit at the top of League One this season, after they were relegated in last place in the Championship under the previous management group.

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EFL expert and writer Gab Sutton claimed that he “transformed the style” at Cardiff, and Barry-Murphy has made it clear that his aggressive and front-footed style will not change because of the opposition.

Cardiff went on to beat Burnley, a Premier League side, away from home and had 53% of the ball in that match after those quotes, which shows that he can implement a successful, dominant, and attractive style of play even against teams that are significantly better on paper.

Therefore, Barry-Murphy could be the dream replacement for Nancy because he has shown that he has a philosophy and a style of play, but it is one that is built on aggression and tangible success, rather than good performances and losses.

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That is why Celtic should seriously consider parting ways with Nancy already to make a move for the 4-3-3 Cardiff boss, who is currently on course to win a title with the English side.

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