Liverpool made an offer to sign Rodrygo Goes from Santos before Real Madrid came in with their bid, according to Elano, the former interim manager of the Brazilian club.
Rodrygo, 18, announced himself on the European stage on Wednesday when he netted a hat-trick for Real in their 6-0 UEFA Champions League victory against Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu:
B/R Football18 years, 301 days. Youngest player ever to score a perfect UCL hat-trick. All in a day’s work. https://t.co/DeVRDKIXGZ
It was only his second appearance in the competition following his arrival at Real in June, a year on from Los Blancos reaching an agreement to sign him from Santos for £40 million.