Liverpool FC Rumours

10 Jun 2026 21:30:22
Can the Eds or any of the ITKS confirm if there is a clause in Trent's contract which says he can leave for free within 2 years but only to Liverpool,

10 Jun 2026 21:47:48
I'm not an ITK but I can categorically tell you that's nonsense.

10 Jun 2026 22:02:34
Trent is f***ed and it's not even 9 f****** months yet 😂.

10 Jun 2026 22:10:27
The re-sign every former LFC player fetish, bizarre!

10 Jun 2026 22:30:19
No.

Diddly out.

10 Jun 2026 22:40:03
He's injury prone and a knobhead. No thanks.

10 Jun 2026 22:54:24
Racey, are you or your source getting their info from clickbait sites? Serious question.

10 Jun 2026 23:15:05
No, I don't. The Trent question was just something that's been mentioned by an agent I know do thought I'd put it out there.

11 Jun 2026 00:18:44
Agent Phil Mckrackin..??? My agent's agent told me prime Ronaldinho was coming on a free... but if I'm wrong, it's my agent.

11 Jun 2026 00:31:50
Wouldn't know his contract, probably in Spanish.
Other than that, let him go anywhere else bar here.

11 Jun 2026 02:34:26
Agent Fat Kid from Bolton.

11 Jun 2026 05:37:15
Jeez, calm down, peeps.
Racey just asked a question...

11 Jun 2026 08:04:09
Nobody will know, but it would be a very strange clause to have in a contract at any level.

Don't like the way it all went with Trent leaving, but he was a great player for us.

11 Jun 2026 08:30:17
I don't see Real getting rid of both their right backs this summer. They didn't renew Carvajal's contract, and the only reason to get rid of Trent would be to free up wages, but would also mean a lot of work for just one position. They have bigger problems within their squad.

11 Jun 2026 10:11:53
This agent you know, Racey, must be an IKFA.

11 Jun 2026 10:40:11
Ed002 used to love a "clause" rumour 😆

11 Jun 2026 11:38:46
I am quite happy watching him challenge for the Ballon d'Or from here.

11 Jun 2026 13:08:56
Real only sign players for free, they don't let them go for free too.

11 Jun 2026 15:29:07
I wonder why LFC never looks into free signings? For e.g., Julian Brandt can be a good midfielder, probably better than Maca right now. Leon Goretzka, Fabinho (although getting old) can be a good option for backup in DM. Karim Adeyemi's contract is expiring too.

One of best things during Klopp's prime era was we always had good cover from non-starters when key players were injured, such as Ox on wing, Origi in attack, and Milner in midfield or defence, etc.

10 Jun 2026 20:51:19
Can the Eds or any ITK's confirm if we have reached an agreement to sign Diomandé for £85 mil? He's supposedly on route to complete a medical as we speak.

Thanks.

10 Jun 2026 22:02:57
Source, bro?

10 Jun 2026 22:03:10
According to who?

Ken.

10 Jun 2026 22:11:56
Copter tracker? ... . : )

10 Jun 2026 22:35:06
Not a reliable source, I'm afraid - I came across the information on Twitter/X.

Just thought I'd check to see if anyone here had heard something similar.

10 Jun 2026 22:50:42
It's amazing how many of these footballers are p***y-whipped.

11 Jun 2026 03:33:50
99% of football on Twitter is either fake to attract engagement or guess work to hopefully hit 1-2 things right per month and appear to be ITK.

Just ignore.

I only read the ITKs and Eds here or when interest/signings are confirmed on something like BBC. No point bothering with anything else.

11 Jun 2026 07:18:22
The only one with cred on X is rioferdy5. Whoever that is. He talks about complex geopolitics, I listen. He talks about nuclear theory, I listen.

10 Jun 2026 17:15:14
Addition for the Desperate Scouse Wives series?

I have a large client base business and today I have learnt that one of my clients is a cousin of a playing Liverpool first teamer.
Obviously intrigued by this, I asked if they knew any rumours? They offered up that Curtis Jones deal to Milan was almost done, except the change of management had given Curtis cold feet on the move. But he's getting quite a bit of pushback from his fiancé, who wants to live in the fashion capital Milan. She thinks it's the perfect place to help with her modelling and plans of opening her own fashion boutique there, we're already in motion. Curtis is caught between a rock and a hard place on what the right thing to do is.
The other rumour they offered up was TAA regretting his move and seeking a return to Liverpool.

Nice new contact but won't often see them, as it's a monthly arrangement for the client and our paths don't always cross each time.

Over and out.

10 Jun 2026 17:27:50
Arnold soiled his pants and now he can sit in them. Don't want that rat back.

10 Jun 2026 17:51:06
Love it, top rumour. Invite her for lunch.

10 Jun 2026 17:52:49
Love it, old-school rumour. Hope Curtis does what's best for him. The missus doesn't need to be in Milan, she wants to be in Milan. I hope he stays, Iraola could definitely improve him.

I doubt very much that Trent is genuinely looking for a move back.

10 Jun 2026 17:56:09
I think we all agree that we need to purchase a right back. With this in mind, would Trent be a viable option? Forget the circumstances around him leaving for Real. Is he good enough for Liverpool? Purely on a football basis.

10 Jun 2026 18:07:55
Of course he's good enough, Gaga, but I doubt the club are gonna pay the £50-60m Real would want after he went for a song. Personally, I wouldn't take him back. It's not the fact he fancied a new challenge, it's the way he went about it that doesn't sit with me.

10 Jun 2026 18:10:25
Curtis' fiance is a model? I wonder what attracted her to the millionaire footballer...?

10 Jun 2026 18:59:16
Gaga, if you want to pay £60m for somebody who intentionally ran down his contract to leave on a free, in his prime, you can do it out of your own pocket, mate.

10 Jun 2026 19:03:47
They've been together for eight years and he was hardly a millionaire at that age, was he?

10 Jun 2026 19:09:41
Chewy, we didn't pay a fee for him, and he gave us almost a decade of sublime football. He won't return as it would be so toxic, but we are shooting ourselves in the foot if we let him go to City or Chelsea.



He is possibly our best right back of all time. That cheeky corner vs Barcelona just sums him up to me. A proper scallywag, and always came across as a really nice lad.

10 Jun 2026 19:18:43
Doesn't matter to me that we didn't pay for him. I doubt a kid who came through at Madrid and became a global star at the club would not do that to them to get a move to us. Nor would it happen at any of the top sides. Was he not confident enough that they'd want him if they had to pay us the market value? Like duck he was, he knew the only way they wanted him is if he was free.

That's just my opinion. I know others think differently and I know other players will leave on frees like Ibou recently, but their tagline wasn't "this means more" for years.

10 Jun 2026 19:40:52
Is The Lid taken on the new role of "Banter Police"?

Seems to be shutting any banter down very promptly.

Smile mate, it's just a funny website.

10 Jun 2026 19:48:52
Couldn't care less, Monstersouness, it's the principle, mate. I don't like his attitude either, he's developed an arrogance he didn't have in the early years. I've no time for it. The success went to his head. He thinks he's better than he really is, and got far too big for his boots.

Can't even get into the England team now after saying he was leaving to further his career. It's just embarrassing for him. Serves him right. He can wallow on the bench in Madrid, with his Ballon d'Or.

10 Jun 2026 19:55:11
I wouldn't want Trent back, he's made his bed.

10 Jun 2026 20:08:55
If Arnold wants to return, we should take him back.
Who has never made a mistake in their life?
We should get both Trent and Nunez back.
Keep Curtis as he is a valuable player.

10 Jun 2026 20:18:12
If TAA wants to come back, he takes a wage cut and Madrid accept a £10m fee.

10 Jun 2026 20:51:33
Who ain't made no mistake? Not me, not now, not never. Capisce?!

10 Jun 2026 20:56:46
This isn't a playground, fellas, it's elite sport at the very highest level.

If Trent wants to come back and we can do a deal that suits all parties, it would be ridiculous to not do it just because 'he laid his bed and now he can lie in it'.

I don't blame Trent for wanting to try Madrid. The opportunity was there and he took it. At the end of the day, he's a young lad who's been brought up in the Northwest of England and wanted to try something new.

I don't think any of us could honestly say that we wouldn't do the same if we were lucky enough to be in his position. If you say you wouldn't be tempted, you're just lying to yourself.

I don't like the way it went down, but that's the game. He fulfilled his contract that we gave him and then moved on, as is his right. I really don't understand all the bitterness.

10 Jun 2026 20:57:15
There is just no evidence of Trent becoming arrogant. Judging him on his performances, he took a long time to get over being outjumped for the Real Madrid goal. His performance vs Man U was that of a player overawed by the occasion, which he knew might be his last.

He was far better defensively than we think.

Konate looked great with Trent at right back. As for Salah, how effective was he when Trent didn't play?

A great player. He and Robbo are the best fullback combo since the famous one of Brazil. Sorry, but he really was a legend - and needs a bit more love in my view.

10 Jun 2026 21:10:13
Arnold is a below average fullback with an above average right foot and an ego which far exceeds his talent. He's nowhere near the best right back in Europe, and, quite frankly, it would be a disgrace to pay Madrid a lot of money for an injury prone, soon to be 28 player who left on a free transfer after stringing the club along and insulting the supporters.

No, he can stay gone.

10 Jun 2026 21:11:43
Again I will ask the question. Leaving aside many supporters' opinions
on the circumstances around his exit. Is Trent good enough to play right-back for Liverpool? Forget your feelings towards him. Imagine you are Andoni, he is good enough. In my opinion he is. That's not to say he should return. If you think he is not good enough, why?

10 Jun 2026 21:15:08
Riosstepover - He strung fans along for 2 years, like he was trying to negotiate a new contract (essentially lying to us), and the whole time he was learning Spanish. He said his dream was to be captain of Liverpool. I fully understand the sense of betrayal, and I don't think he should be allowed to come running back to Liverpool and all is forgiven just coz it didn't work out in Spain.

If it goes well over there, he'd have no intention of coming back.

10 Jun 2026 21:25:13
I say it again, again. Madrid is a poo poo hole. No one in their right mind would go to the Spanish equivalent of Norfolk-on-concrete. Mutant wanna-be's. That's all, folks. Take him back, if the boss decides that! But he won't, because as talented as he is, he is tactically disruptive. Galatasaray beckons!

10 Jun 2026 21:40:49
@Vik, When you say TAA is a below average RB, are you including the Championship, League 1, League 2, and National League sides or are you talking about a couple of dozen RBs who play at the elite level?

10 Jun 2026 22:09:43
Ballon d'Or - Carte d'Or more like.

Thanks for all the fish, Trent, but I think you should 'Go for gold' somewhere else.

10 Jun 2026 22:35:07
You don't get bent out of shape when a rubbish player leaves. Never hold a grudge, life is too short. Ian Rush left and came back, granted in different circumstances. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone. I was gutted when he left, but would love to see him feeding Isac and Wirtz.

10 Jun 2026 22:35:45
Gaga, history and feelings aside, for £60m, absolutely not. There's a reason he's second choice to a 34yr old Carvajal. It's the same reason he'll probably end up playing backup to a 30 year old Dumfries too.

The fact of the matter is that Trent is a poor RB, but his passing made him a great asset to Klopp's system. We tailored his role to suit his skillset. He was never going to have success elsewhere unless his new manager understood that clearly.

You can't just put Trent into any team and expect him to operate as a standard RB, you'll be massively let down. Hence, he's been a flop at Real; they saw nothing but the highlight reel, they thought they were getting a world class RB, they had no idea he was incapable of tracking his man, or looking over his shoulder. We knew his shortcomings, and were willing to make that sacrifice because of what else he brought to the table. He won't be afforded that elsewhere.

11 Jun 2026 00:28:16
Did he string the club and the fans along for 2 years, Gman? Really? Do you know his inner thoughts?

Or is it possible that it really was a tough decision and he hadn't decided until the second half of last season?

We'll never know the answer to that question, but to present your theory that he knew and so had been learning Spanish for 2 years as if it is a fact is a bit disingenuous.

People got annoyed because a scouser who had come through the ranks and achieved what any one of us has always dreamed of achieving had decided to leave at the end of his contract.

They then booed him on the pitch and castigated him for doing an interview in Spanish. Gordon just did his first interview in Spain in Spanish too. Has he been learning for 2 years because he knew he was off to Barca?

It's all made up nonsense. None of us know what Trent was feeling or when he decided to leave. It's only bitterness that has fed this story of him stringing us along and reading Spanish for Dummies before he went to bed every night.

11 Jun 2026 00:40:18
Rush was sold. He didn't leave.
Trent's not wanted anymore, like Ibou. They pulled the wool of fans' eyes. Don't want him back ever.

11 Jun 2026 00:57:16
Does TAA make the squad better? Yes, end of. imo, why cut off your nose to spite face?

11 Jun 2026 03:55:44
@Chewy, same question Insdled, @Vik - "Trent is a poor RB", what criteria are you applying to rate a player as poor?

11 Jun 2026 06:02:51
I have to say, most Liv fans were disappointed and upset when Trent decided to leave and join RM. While I do respect his decision to try new pastures, I just felt that he could have done something to help the club recoup some money, more than what we got from RM.

I'm not totally against the idea of having him back, if there are legs in the rumours, but definitely not as a right back. If we'd use him as a midfielder, I think that would be good.



To be honest, one of the reasons why he was regarded as one of the best right backs in the world is not really about his defending capabilities, but rather his offensive play. The assists and goals that he contributed made him stand out in the world of right backs.

Many times, he was easily exposed by opposition teams and was seen as our weak link in defense. So, if we want him back as a right back, I would say no.

11 Jun 2026 06:12:35
The fact that nearly every team we played against targeted the right hand side of our defence should tell you everything you need to know about Trent and his ability to defend. For the last 2 years, he was shocking and was often just walking around the pitch while Konate tried to cover 2 positions.
Great right foot, but poor defender for me.

11 Jun 2026 06:34:12
If he's as poor as some people are claiming, why get so upset about him leaving, whatever the circumstances?

Just be honest, most people loved Trent and that's why it hurts so much that he left the way he did. If you're non plus about him as a player, then there's really no reason to feel such anger, is there?

People make mistakes, and, for some reason, when it comes to football, that goes out of the window.



I know he will not come back because he'd be far too expensive. Would undoubtably improve the team, though.

11 Jun 2026 08:11:33
Great rumour and fully makes sense. Thanks!!

Personally, I don't think Curtis is consistent enough, and don't think we would be looking to bring him to Liverpool if playing elsewhere. So let him go for the right fee.

Trent. The way he left the club will make it hard for a return, and, honestly, we need a good RB who can defend, that is not TAA.

11 Jun 2026 08:29:58
Jilted lover syndrome in full swing.
Some just can't let go.

11 Jun 2026 08:37:44
Chewy, how many managers do you want to work their magic on Curtis? He's an enigma and nearly 26, needs to be moved on.
How long do people keep saying he's going to step up a level?

10 Jun 2026 14:11:28
Romano has given the "here we go" for Kenny Squirrel to join Leverkusen for €9m.

10 Jun 2026 14:28:23
Is that the son of Sandy Cheeks from Bikini Bottom?

10 Jun 2026 14:45:48
You're barking up the wrong tree, with this one!

10 Jun 2026 14:55:33
Bayernspace says that there is a release clause for Liverpool that activates when he's 19.

10 Jun 2026 15:07:33
What the hell are we talking about?

10 Jun 2026 15:14:01
How old is 18 in squirrel years?

10 Jun 2026 15:17:54
We'll have to make sure we squirrel some money away for when he turns 19.

10 Jun 2026 15:18:58
88 Rigsby.

10 Jun 2026 15:49:55
German for squirrel, I believe.
Good one!

10 Jun 2026 15:52:55
Man of Todd

Kennet Eichorn translates to Kenny Squirell. 😀

10 Jun 2026 16:59:17
This is just nuts.

10 Jun 2026 17:06:13
Romano should have stayed in TJ Hooker.

10 Jun 2026 17:29:06
It's about time he made up his mind.
Kenny can't be sitting on the fence forever.
He kept it quiet about Leverkusen as well.
He must be a secret squirrel.

10 Jun 2026 17:55:04
Haha, thanks Liver_la, that is funny!

10 Jun 2026 19:44:23
What an interesting, long tail.

10 Jun 2026 20:46:29
Trent back on a loan deal with a formal apology to the fans? Any takers?

10 Jun 2026 21:47:49
A formal apology? Get over yourself. He's doing a job and trying to do what is best for him and his family.

10 Jun 2026 14:11:28
Romano has given the "here we go" for Kenny Squirrel to join Leverkusen for €9m.

10 Jun 2026 14:37:44
That's nuts.

10 Jun 2026 15:10:59
So he could still be a Red Squirell.

10 Jun 2026 13:39:03
Xavier Parker kiddy from Man City we have poached will sign next month.

10 Jun 2026 14:22:41
Apparently, Man City are fuming, as they see him as an elite talent. He's a 16-year-old AM likened to Eberechi Eze in style, and he has also captained England at U16s level. Some are saying this is as big of a coup as when we took Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea. Parker is allegedly a Liverpool fan and desperate to make the move.

10 Jun 2026 15:16:40
I believe Lady Penelope is fuming too.
She'll have to sell the pink Roller and get the bus.

10 Jun 2026 15:20:52
You're on fire today, Rigsby. You must be getting an extra touch off Miss Jones. 😉

10 Jun 2026 15:56:22
Love these kind of signings. With Parker, Eden, Abe and Rio, we would have some outstanding young English talents at the club. Doesn't seem right England heading off to the WC without a single LFC player in the ranks. Won't go out of my way to watch them now as much as I would have when Stevie or Trent was in the squad.

10 Jun 2026 17:32:06
Thanks, Barry.
Recently she said I can call her Ruth.
You might need to buy a hat, mate.

11 Jun 2026 00:49:41
Ooooooh, Miss Jones! 😂

10 Jun 2026 11:49:21
Hi all,

Liverpool have enquired again about Warren Zaire Emery recently.

He is hugely admired by Edwards. It’s believed that PSG plan on keeping him but if agent tittle tattle is true, the player may like the idea of the move.

10 Jun 2026 12:15:59
Think that would be a very good signing - I heard talk that he was one of a few, including Zabarnyi, offered to clubs as surplus - I would take them both if true. 🤞🏻

10 Jun 2026 12:33:29
Always liked the look of Zaire Emery. With the right coaching he could be the next midfield star from France...

And, born in Mar 2006, he would qualify as U21 for 26-27 and 27-28, so no need to worry about our non-HG spots.

10 Jun 2026 12:41:15
That would be some signing. It would surprise me if PSG let him go.

10 Jun 2026 12:49:05
Much prefer him to Barcola if we sent PSG money.

10 Jun 2026 12:57:31
Very good player who can play across all midfield positions, plus he also covered right back when Hakimi was out injured... Would love us to sign him but can't see PSG letting him go.

10 Jun 2026 13:24:29
Would be a nice signing but very little chance I think.

10 Jun 2026 13:37:02
Played 54 times for PSG this year. Doesn't seem like someone they want to move on.

10 Jun 2026 13:50:34
Dream MF signing. Get rid of Macca and go all out for this kid.

10 Jun 2026 13:56:36
Great player, but of what we need.
We need a DM.
What's our midfield 3 then? Szob, Emery and Wirtz?
No thanks.
Give me Sangare, Szob and Wirtz.

10 Jun 2026 13:36:45
I like Emery.oooh you are awful.but I like youuu.
Care for another crumpet vicar.
I done it again dad haven't I.
Ohhh hello honky tonk.
Oh no.wrong Emery

10 Jun 2026 14:11:16
Robby, don't be a Dick, or we'll all get Board ;-).

10 Jun 2026 14:32:14
Ya wanna put that down on paper.

10 Jun 2026 14:48:30
Wze is absolutely class, can do the lot. Would love us to buy him but can't see it sadly.

Appreciate the rumour though, Victor.

10 Jun 2026 19:19:46
I looked into this earlier and the player himself is said to dream about staying at PSG for all his career.

11 Jun 2026 00:51:58
That's just Emery paper talk.

10 Jun 2026 11:04:01
@Ed001 Do we have a shortlist of names of centre backs we're considering? Is Joel Ordóñez one?

{Ed001's Note - as far as I am aware, a centre-back is not seen as a priority right now. Though Ordonez is one of the ones at the top of the list for if it becomes a priority. We did bring in 3 last season, I know young and inexperienced, but Iraola's strength is working with players and making them better. If Gomez leaves, then a centre-back would become a priority.}

10 Jun 2026 12:19:17
Leoni, Jacquet and who else Ed mate? Can't find the other one?

{Ed001's Note - Ndiaye.}

10 Jun 2026 12:42:35
And another kid same age as Ndiaye from Austria.

10 Jun 2026 13:22:59
Ndukwe, huge lad.

10 Jun 2026 13:50:45
That's right, yeah, Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Made his senior debut last month in stoppage time and won 100% of his 1 headed duels.
We've also got Wellity Lucky & Amara Nallo, but it's probably time for them to go on loan.
Is Luke Chambers' contract up this summer or does he have another year?
Best of luck to Rhys Williams in the rest of his career!

10 Jun 2026 12:32:04
That's really good to hear in my opinion Ed001. Iraola got a very young partnership of Huijsen and Zabarnyi looking like an experienced Premier League duo. Giovanni Leoni (19), Jeremy Jacquet (20), Mor Talla Ndiaye (18), Ifeanyi Ndukwe (18) and Noah Adekoya (19) have all been signed in the last 12 months. We've spent approximately £100m on those 5 CB's so we can't just not use them because they're young.

When you then also consider Will Wright (18), Rio Ngumoha (17), Trey Nyoni (18), Milos Kerkez (22), Florian Wirtz (23), Armin Pecsi (21), Ekitike (23), James McConnell (21), Connor Bradley (22), Stefan Bajcetic (21), Owen Beck (23), Alvin Ayman (18), Samuel Martinez (17), Josh Sonni-Lambie (18) and hopefully soon Yan Diomande (19) will have all been signed in recent years, it's clear we're working on a serious long term plan.

On top of that we've brought players through the ranks from as young as 6-9 years old such as Joshua Abe (15), Kieran Morrison (19), Lewis Koumas (20), Luke Chambers (21), Joe Upton (18) and Jayden Danns (20) who hopefully can finally start to push on.

Iraola will definitely have been given the remit to start making use of all this top young talent we've prioritised signing/developing. Of course there is absolutely no chance they all succeed and have long careers here, but I'm certain Iraola has been appointed in no small part due to his incredible record at Bournemouth of making use of and coaching younger players.

10 Jun 2026 13:08:42
A right back would pretty much be my top priority this window, that position absolutely killed us last season in my opinion. Do you see is getting someone in there ed or are they looking for AI to develop the youth?

10 Jun 2026 14:34:15
Apparently we are "scouring the market" for a right back.

10 Jun 2026 14:53:37
The only position that "killed" us last season was the head coach. And thankfully we have replaced him ;)

Jokes aside, I do agree that RB is a priority position that we should look to strengthen. We don't have anyone from our youths who look remotely close to stepping up while Bradley recovers from his injury.

Tbh, I think we should look to replace him entirely.

RW is another priority though, but hopefully Diomande would be the one to fill that gap.

10 Jun 2026 16:28:13
Dracred,
Even when he recovers, Bradley won't be the answer.

10 Jun 2026 06:32:33
Just a note - Konate signed at Madrid for £400k a week (ish) that doesn't include bonuses, which will also be substantial

This is why negotiations broke down.

10 Jun 2026 06:56:16
No transfer so that's why they can pay more.
I wonder how much Sobs has been offered by them.

10 Jun 2026 07:03:54
How is this free transfer, big wages / signing on bonus, making Real Madrid's finances look? Better than transfer fee and lower wages?

10 Jun 2026 07:16:44
Thanks Nevada, your information is always appreciated. I'm not sure Konate would be a good fit for Iraola anyway. Maybe it's for the best we didn't offer him silly wages.

10 Jun 2026 07:27:38
Crazy money for an average defender.

10 Jun 2026 08:15:23
Offered to him over a year ago.

10 Jun 2026 08:28:12
Kopcat, this is what boils my p*** with both Madrid and players, it's disgusting if they are doing this, and worse, players stringing clubs along by pretending to be considering signing a contract.

10 Jun 2026 08:30:38
He's a French International and a Premier League winner so I understand why he would feel he's worth those wages, but how anyone could watch him last season and think the same is beyond me.

10 Jun 2026 08:41:24
Ed1, is a club instructing a player to wind down their contract so they can join for free with big wages a loop-hole in the tapping up rule?
Is it even considered tapping up?

{Ed001's Note - if it could be proven they had done so, then it would be tapping up.}

10 Jun 2026 08:58:21
Regardless of the wages etc, I'm delighted he's gone.

10 Jun 2026 09:24:58
A player ending his contract and moving on is perfectly in his right. If they are stringing the club along, pretending they are going to sign a new contract when they've already had their head turned, then surely the onus is on the club to see through that. If negotiations are going on for years, surely that's a pretty strong signal?

10 Jun 2026 09:33:09
Not a lot you can do if a player wants to run down his contract. You can't make him sign a new contract, you can't make him accept a transfer... and at the end of the day, he is fulfilling his contract to the club. The power is with the players nowadays.

10 Jun 2026 09:45:03
This is the new contract the Club is prepared to offer you. It's non-negotiable... If it's not acceptable, we can talk about a transfer.
Simples!

10 Jun 2026 09:53:43
While I agree he was woeful this year, I think the lad struggled with losing Jota and his dad more than most. We didn't give him a send off because he thought he was staying only for the big Madrid offer to come in.

I dunno, just saying all my disappointment is directed at Real's business model, not at the kid who was huge for us a couple years ago.

10 Jun 2026 09:57:56
The way forward is if the player isn’t signing the contract, sign their replacement in the summer before their last year, and give them an option: either accept a transfer or become bench fodder for the next season while they run their contract down.

10 Jun 2026 10:15:02
On the financial side, it probably doesn't make a massive difference to their outlay. Player wise, though, being able to offer a higher salary is obviously more attractive. Less helpful if the player doesn't work out, mind. If Konate plays for them as he has been for us, then that's one they will regret.

10 Jun 2026 10:16:43
For me, the concern will be if the players are not giving 100% in their last season either because their heart isn't in it anymore or they are protecting themselves from injury before moving to their new club.
Maybe Konate's poor form this season was also partly that he knew he was going and wasn't giving 100% because of that.

10 Jun 2026 10:14:18
He has been useless this season gone as in his head he'd already moved to madrid and couldn't be a☆☆☆ed

10 Jun 2026 10:19:44
He's their 400k problem now. So I'm not upset.

10 Jun 2026 10:35:36
I don't believe 'negotiations broke down'. I think he was stringing us along the whole time.

10 Jun 2026 10:35:49
That model doesn't work, @Vik (see Gareth Bale's final year playing golf and being paid hundreds of thousands a week improving his glove handicap, and Coutinho's bad back and the great big break up with TAA the season before last).

As has been said, if a player stays within the requirements of the contract signed and agreed by the club and the player, then chooses to see oil the contract, the club can't do anything about it.



It's just the way that business works these days. It's the model used by Chelsea with their 25 year contracts.

10 Jun 2026 10:37:38
It does make me laugh how people think you can just force a transfer on someone if they don't sign a contract or, even more funny, is just sit them on the bench.

You can't force someone to leave if they have a contract and don't want to leave, and any manager isn't going to bench a player due to contract negotiations if he thinks he's the best player for a particular position.

Not to mention paying someone hundreds of thousands of pounds a week to not use them just to prove a point.

Madness.

10 Jun 2026 10:39:59
And he'll still be useless at Madrid. He's nowhere near good enough to warrant £400,000 per week... as I'm sure Madrid will find out.

10 Jun 2026 10:46:34
The 'bench fodder' plan is negated by several things:
1) You can only register 25 players, so do you 'not register them' or 'register them and not play them'?
2) What happens if results fall off a cliff and the replacement is out of form?
3) What happens if the replacement gets a season ending injury?

None of these plans are feasible in this competitive reality.

Players have the power, clubs have to find a way of dealing with it. In reality, you need to have a strong youth development but even that is just partial mitigation.

10 Jun 2026 10:53:11
I think what Madrid are doing is going to cause another big change in football globally.

Other big clubs will follow this plan. Why wouldn't they?

That reality being accepted, and the fact that football authorities are clueless and toothless in preventing this, leads to the question 'what will be the end game?'

In my opinion, it will lead to transfer fees collapsing, which will mean higher wages for players.

10 Jun 2026 11:23:05
You've summed it up well, WDW and Ron. The bench them idea doesn't really work, and they won't leave early as the likes of RM won't pay a fee.

This was expected since Bosman, in a way, it's surprising it's taken this long.

The irony is that mid to low experience players with talent are now costing a fortune like Diomande. The economics of all this are going to catch up with us at some point unless we can also start to play the game like RM and others do.

10 Jun 2026 11:56:12
I'd rather have had both Konate & Arnold's roles diminished in the side and been marginalised in the squad, with their replacements on the pitch than let them coast through their final season and negatively affect the team's performance through their lack of effort. Both Arnold and Konate were pretty rotten in their last year.

Again, I think being tough and saying that they'd have the option of leaving sooner (if they want to be able to play regularly), or if they want to sit out their contract, they can do that from the bench or the stands, watching their replacement get the minutes instead.



The example of Bale is a poor one, as he was very much at the end of his career and was being overpaid by Madrid (they'd been trying to get shot of him for a couple of years). Additionally, at 32 he knew his options were limited and would always get picked for Wales regardless of his situation at Madrid.

But a player in his mid twenties isn't going to want to sit a season out on the bench if he has ambition of playing international football. Can you imagine Konate would have been happy sat on the bench all season knowing there was a World Cup coming up? Because I can't.

10 Jun 2026 12:09:47
The World Cup or Euros seem to be a factor which helps players maintain motivation, probably more than playing for the club who pays their wages.

Something's got to give with us, as the current approach isn't working. We're suffering the worst of both worlds at the moment, with poorly performing players running contracts down but still getting paid and played.

10 Jun 2026 12:31:21
I am not entirely sure it sets off a trend. Real and to some extent, Barca, are the only clubs who have the gravitas to do this consistently.

Interestingly, the fact that they choose to do it is probably because they are acutely aware they cannot compete with the spending power of the Premier League.



I am not sure the approach really translates to more clubs. Perhaps Bayern can do this for German players who don't traditionally like to leave Germany.

10 Jun 2026 13:02:30
@Bik, In recent times both Trent and Ibou have played the 'on-going negotiations' card through social media.

If, as suggested in this thread - though granted without any proof to back up the statement - Konate was offered EUR or £ 400k a week last year, if he ran his contract down, then all he has to do is have his reps raise the matter if a new contract from time to time, knowing full well that, after the last match of the season, he would have a dramatic change of heart and move, surprise, surprise, to Real Madrid.

Liverpool flagged that we were / are going to buy the best young talent from around the world, a couple of years ago, and it's no coincidence that with Leoni, .jacquest, and the three young lads they signed in the winter window, they are starting to change the model to something that looks like what Chelsea had been doing for a good while + buy the cream of the crop of youngsters, put them on long term contracts and advertise they are available and the club is open to offers before contract renewal becomes an issue.

Don't forget they banned us from their academy matches when we enticed Rio to leave and City were after Abe recently.

10 Jun 2026 13:10:24
I think Ron is correct, and other clubs will follow suite with this type of recruitment tactics, if nothing else, needing to do it to be competitive with higher salaries from the lack of a transfer fee will be a factor at the highest levels of the game.


Of the risk is that you then get stuck with said players on high salaries if it doesn't work out, and you can't offload them, but then again, clubs wouldn't be tapping players up if they didn't think it would work out.

11 Jun 2026 03:47:08
Ron, maybe in Europe, but not for the Premier League where the money is.

Is a free transfer and higher wages cheaper than paying a transfer fee and lower wage?

It'd depend on the transfer fee.



Konate's situation, with the info as we know it, is cheaper than paying a transfer fee and lower wages. It would depend on how low the wages would be and signing bonus.