Liverpool transfer news: Rodrygo latest as Real Madrid star linked following Luis Diaz exit to Bayern Munich

Luis Diaz's exit to Bayern Munich has opened up the possibility of a move for a winger amid reported interest in Rodrygo, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has claimed.

The Premier League champions have been the division's biggest spenders this transfer window, but they could also recoup a significant portion of their expenditure through sales.

Diaz left the Liverpool squad on Monday to complete a move to Bayern Munich, and his exit may lead the club to look for a replacement for the winger.

Real's Rodrygo has been touted as a potential target, and Lynch insisted that Diaz's departure has opened up the possibility of a transfer, telling Sports Mole: "A long way to go on that story, but the key thing here is that Diaz leaving opens up that possibility, and Liverpool have to make a choice.

"This transfer isn't one that we've got full clarity on yet, but what I would say is that Rodrygo is at the very least on a short list of sorts for Liverpool in that left-wing position. We just have to wait and see how that one progresses and whether that interest firms up."

The Reds had also been credited with an interest in Lyon winger Malick Fofana, but he is reported to be nearing a move to local rivals Everton.

Does Rodrygo want to leave Real Madrid and join Liverpool?

Rodrygo often found himself playing out of position last season in order to accommodate the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

The Brazilian is yet to firmly indicate whether he intends to leave Los Blancos in search of more regular minutes in his favoured left-sided role, and waiting for him to decide his future could be a risky move given Liverpool's league season starts on August 15 against Bournemouth.

Lynch argued that any talk of substantial interest is premature, when he told Sports Mole: "They're looking into the possibility of it, but I don't get the impression from speaking to people that they're pushing hard to get him at this moment, that they're putting money on the table and saying 'this is how it's going to work'.

"Liverpool are putting the feelers out there, and they may be asking the question, 'what would it look like?' But would it be a very attractive destination for Rodrygo? That's still not clear.

"I've not been given the impression that A, he's 100% leaving Real Madrid this summer, and B, that Liverpool are pushing absolutely hard for him in this moment of the window. There's still such a long way to go, so it feels very tentative at the moment. A bit of early sounding out, we would call it."

The forward would also reportedly demand a sizeable wage to leave Real Madrid, and it remains to be seen if Liverpool would be willing to agree to his requests.

Is Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon an alternative target?

Liverpool already have Cody Gakpo in their ranks, and he did prove to be reliable in the final third last term, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists in all competitions.

The Dutchman would be Arne Slot's only senior option on the left, though the Reds were said to previously be keen on signing Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon.

Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch did not rule out Liverpool moving for Gordon this summer, saying: "One thing that isn't clear yet is whether Rodrygo is the number one choice on that left-wing as a Diaz replacement, because there is still some interest in Anthony Gordon.

"I think Gordon would certainly be a consideration because we know Liverpool like him and he would absolutely love to move to Liverpool, and with the business that Newcastle have done in terms of the wing options they've got, they could be more amenable to a sale of Gordon at a reasonable price.

"He ticks the home-grown box and there is a lot to like there, but in terms of concrete left-wing targets, nothing's certain in terms of what Liverpool would go for."

Liverpool were close to signing Gordon in the summer of 2024 in a deal that would have seen centre-back Joe Gomez sign for Newcastle in an exchange deal, but the transfer ultimately failed to materialise.