Richard Hughes is rubbing his eyes: £60m midfielder swap deal is too good to be true

Liverpool have been tipped to conduct a summer midfield refit.

The Reds suffered throughout a poor 2025/26 season - a campaign which ultimately cost Arne Slot his job. Players like Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were beneath their best as the Premier League champions limped to a fifth-placed finish.

And it’s put the future of certain players - Mac Allister included - in jeopardy. Macca, 27, is currently away at the FIFA World Cup with Argentina. But when he returns for club duties he may find himself at the centre of a transfer discussion.

With a contract expiring in 2028 - and no sign of a new deal on the horizon - the No10 could be sacrificed in order to generate some transfer income.

Real Madrid still waiting for Mac Allister

One destination could be Real Madrid - where it’s being reported in Fichajes that Jose Mourinho is ready to reignite the club’s interest in Mac Allister.

“Real Madrid have begun exploring the summer transfer market to fulfill the request of José Mourinho, who has formally requested the signing of Alexis Mac Allister, taking advantage of the Argentine midfielder's strong desire to leave Liverpool during this summer transfer window,” the report reads.

And Liverpool want Camavinga

The former Brighton man - who cost Liverpool £35m back in 2023 - has long been on the radar but their chance for the playmaker was in doubt owing to a change of head coach.

With Mourinho now said to be viewing the South American schemer as a priority target we could see Liverpool having to entertain bids over the coming weeks.

But this transfer twist could take an interesting turn with the news that Eduardo Camavinga is going to be sold in order to fund a new midfielder deal.

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Both deals valued at around £60m

The Frenchman, 23, endured a poor season and is surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu, Under contract until 2029 Real Madrid will listen to offers for Camavinga - who joined from Rennes in 2021.

And the same report names Liverpool - as well as Manchester United - are among the prime contenders for his signature.

So Liverpool could conduct a swap deal of sorts. Gain Camavinga from Real Madrid - a player who can play at No6, No8 or even left-back - and put enough money in the Madrid cash register in order to fund a deal for a new midfielder.

They could then sell Mac Allister to the 15-time European champions - thus closing the circle on a stunning transfer exchange.

Both fees have been estimated at around the €70m(£60m) mark - meaning the ideal opportunity to upgrade the midfield at zero cost is materialising.