From Brazil: Liverpool interest in £130m nailed on – ‘No discount of even one cent’

Liverpool’s interest in Bournemouth star Rayan has been getting plenty of attention in England, and there’s now some information coming from Brazil on the situation.

ESPN Brazil journalist Bruno Andrade has backed up the Liverpool claims. He went digging after the reports appeared in England and spoke to people close to the player and inside Bournemouth.

The answer was pretty clear. Liverpool are interested, but they haven’t made an approach to Bournemouth yet.

That doesn’t mean things are quiet behind the scenes.

Liverpool aren’t the only ones circling

Andrade says several of Europe’s “sharks”, particularly from the Premier League, have been asking about Rayan. They’ve been approaching people close to the Brazilian and his representatives. Bournemouth are aware of what’s happening.

“The idea in the European market is that people or clubs want to get ahead of the game because Rayan has been playing incredibly well,” Andrade said.

“Clubs have the perception that whoever doesn’t get ahead will be left behind and miss out on the player. So they want to act in advance.”

That explains all the early links, and also why this Liverpool talk has started months before anything can realistically happen.

Bournemouth expect official approaches and proposals from January. Andrade doesn’t rule out clubs making contact before then, although any transfer would have to wait for the window.

And Liverpool should probably prepare themselves for a rather painful asking price.

Bournemouth say £130m or nothing

Andrade says Bournemouth’s position is that Rayan will not be leaving at a discount. His release clause stands at £130m, which Andrade puts at around €150m (£130m). Bournemouth currently want the whole lot.

“The message is clear, obvious, and there won’t be a discount of even one cent,” he explained.

“Whoever wants to sign Rayan in January, whether from the Premier League or another European club, has to pay the value of the clause.”

Andrade then made Bournemouth’s stance even clearer: “There won’t be a discount, there won’t be a lower payment. It’s either that or the player stays.”

That’s quite some position, although Bournemouth can afford to take it. Rayan is contracted until 2031 and they clearly believe his value can keep climbing.

The Brazilian cost them up to €35m (£30.3m), with €28.5m (£24.7m) guaranteed and another €6.5m (£5.6m) in bonuses.

Liverpool’s interest therefore looks genuine. They’re also far from alone. But for now, Bournemouth’s answer to all of them is an intimidating one: bring £130m or don’t bother.