Liverpool has been put on high alert as transfer interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona threatens to dismantle a key part of their squad. The club faces a potential battle to hold onto midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, who have become integral figures at Anfield. This concern comes during a season of stark contrasts for the Reds; after a triumphant 2024-25 campaign that saw them equal Manchester United's record of 20 top-flight titles, Arne Slot's side has struggled for consistency, already suffering six league defeats.
Liverpool has been put on high alert as transfer interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona threatens to dismantle a key part of their squad. The club faces a potential battle to hold onto midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, who have become integral figures at Anfield. This concern comes during a season of stark contrasts for the Reds; after a triumphant 2024-25 campaign that saw them equal Manchester United's record of 20 top-flight titles, Arne Slot's side has struggled for consistency, already suffering six league defeats.
The club invested heavily following their title win, breaking the British transfer record twice to sign Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, while also adding Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez. Despite a flying start with seven consecutive wins, the team's form plummeted, culminating in a humbling 3-0 loss to Manchester City. It is against this turbulent backdrop that the threat to their midfield core has emerged.
The duo in question, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch, were originally signed by Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2023. While they initially experienced a slow adaptation period, both players have since evolved into essential components of the Liverpool lineup, starring in the title-winning season and remaining among the first names on Slot's team sheet. Their importance has not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid reportedly showing interest in Szoboszlai and Barcelona monitoring Gravenberch.
According to reports, Liverpool's primary worry stems from the fact that both players have contracts running only until 2028, making them potentially attainable targets for Europe's elite clubs. While Barcelona's well-documented financial constraints may hinder a move for Gravenberch, the Catalan club has still identified the Dutchman as a priority target for the upcoming summer transfer window.
In response to this looming threat, Liverpool have taken a proactive approach by initiating early talks with both players over new contracts. Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that discussions have begun, noting the club is "super happy" with their top performances. The proposed new deals are expected to extend their terms by several years and include a significant pay rise from their current combined wage of approximately £270,000 per week.
This situation highlights a broader strategic challenge for Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy. Beyond the midfield pair, the contracts of other first-team stars like Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson require attention. Discussions with Konate are understood to be ongoing, but his situation is particularly pressing as his contract expires next summer, and he is also a target for Real Madrid. The club is desperate to avoid a repeat of the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga, where they lost a key asset for a minimal fee, and securing the futures of Szoboszlai and Gravenberch is now a critical priority.
