It’s not unusual to have transfer rumours crop up from time to time, even those of a bizarre nature.
That latest one for Liverpool could certainly fit into that category, with the timing the more eye-catching nature of this particular rumour.
According to reports in Spain, Naby Keita is being targeted by Real Madrid ahead of a move this summer.
As claimed by Todofichajes, Madrid are willing to offer £25.7m in an attempt to entice Liverpool into letting Keita leave Anfield.
They go on to add that Madrid are aware they need to ‘rejuvenate their squad a little’ this summer, and have identified Keita as a possible target.
The timing of this rumour certainly deserves closer inspection, especially seen as the two clubs meet on the pitch in a couple of weeks.
A Champions League quarter-final between both clubs lingers, and plenty of Liverpool fans suspect this rumour could be nothing more than just a tactic to try and rile the Anfield club before the first leg on April 6.
Graham Foster: “As you say though, this is just Real trying to unsettle us, just as they do with transfers every summer.”
Mo Hass: “Someone is working overtime to "unsettle" an opponent right before they meet in a CL home game, Madrid can't afford his trim let alone forking out £50m + in one window.”
G: “Convenient timing for this story.”
The Anfield Talk: “One would suspect this is the classic case of the Spanish media trying to ruffle the feathers of their teams.”
Evan: “It always happens when we draw someone in the champions league people come up with rumours.”
Jia: “It’s a trap. Mind games ahead of the UCL games.”
