Liverpool boss took 11-hour flight to speak with Tottenham’s Son Heung-min ‘replacement’
Jurgen Klopp’s Admiration for Rodrygo Reemerges Amid Tottenham Transfer Links
Jurgen Klopp has long admired Real Madrid star Rodrygo, and new reports linking the Brazilian winger with a move to Tottenham Hotspur have brought that admiration back into the spotlight.
Before Rodrygo became a household name at Real Madrid, the talented winger was already drawing interest from top European clubs—none more enthusiastic than Liverpool. During his tenure at Anfield, Klopp reportedly went to great lengths in his efforts to sign the then-teenage sensation, demonstrating just how highly he rated the youngster.
Rodrygo, who is now being considered as a potential successor to Son Heung-min at Spurs, was a rising star in Brazil’s footballing landscape while playing for Santos. According to his agent, Nick Arcuri, Klopp was so eager to secure the youngster’s signature that he boarded an 11-hour flight to Brazil solely to meet him in person—a rare gesture from a manager of his stature.
Speaking during a live YouTube session in 2020, Arcuri revealed, “When Rodrygo was about to sign his first professional contract at Santos, Klopp had already taken notice. A Liverpool director contacted me and said Klopp had done his homework—he’d watched videos, tracked his progress, and even flown to Brazil to see him play. Klopp was incredibly impressed.”
The German manager reportedly discovered Rodrygo after stumbling upon YouTube footage while researching emerging Brazilian talents. The youngster stood out immediately. “Klopp searched ‘Brazilian talents’ on YouTube and found Rodrygo. He watched him, was impressed, and decided to act. He wanted Rodrygo to be his first major youth signing at Liverpool,” Arcuri added.
The Liverpool delegation went so far as to draft a formal offer and brought it to Modesto Roma Junior, then-president of Santos. However, the Brazilian club rejected Liverpool’s advances and instead moved quickly to tie Rodrygo down to his first professional deal. Despite the personal efforts of Klopp and the early interest from Liverpool, the move never materialized.
Rodrygo would eventually join Real Madrid in 2019 in a deal worth around £39 million. Since then, the 24-year-old has lifted multiple trophies, including three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns, solidifying his reputation as one of the most promising forwards in Europe. However, despite his glittering achievements in Spain, Rodrygo’s role at Madrid has recently come under scrutiny.
With the arrival of superstar forward Kylian Mbappé this summer, combined with the growing influence of Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham in Carlo Ancelotti’s system, Rodrygo’s playing time has been noticeably reduced. This has led to speculation about a possible exit, with Premier League sides such as Liverpool and Arsenal reportedly monitoring the situation.
Now, Tottenham Hotspur have also entered the frame. According to Spanish outlet AS, Spurs are lining up a move for Rodrygo as a direct replacement for their outgoing talisman Son Heung-min. The South Korean forward announced his decision to leave the North London club and is expected to join MLS side Los Angeles FC, creating a sizable void in the Spurs attack.
Tottenham have already bolstered their wide attacking options this summer, splashing £55 million on former Ajax and West Ham star Mohammed Kudus. Yet the club seems eager to reinforce further, especially with Son’s departure imminent. Rodrygo’s versatility, youth, and experience at the top level make him an attractive option.
Interestingly, this wouldn’t be the first time Spurs have shown interest in a player admired by Klopp. Just seven months ago, they were among the clubs attempting to land French striker Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain—another talent once targeted by the former Liverpool boss.
While Klopp may have moved on from Liverpool, his early scouting and bold pursuit of players like Rodrygo continues to resonate, especially now that the winger’s future in Madrid appears increasingly uncertain. Whether Spurs will succeed in landing the Brazilian remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that Rodrygo’s story is far from finished—and Premier League clubs are circling.