Liverpool and rivals await La Liga decision in move for €18m Serie A defender

Chelsea and Liverpool circle as Real Madrid hold the key

Credit must go to Caught Offside for the original reporting, which sheds light on a familiar modern transfer story, one where talent, clauses and power intersect long before a player reaches his supposed peak.

Como defender Jacobo Ramón has quietly become one of the most watched young centre backs in Europe. At 21, and with just half a season of Serie A football behind him, he has drawn scouts from Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, with Newcastle, Brighton and Crystal Palace also keeping close tabs. As Caught Offside report, “since December, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool have been monitoring him closely”, a line that underlines how quickly his reputation has travelled.

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Ramón’s rise feels emblematic of football’s current economy. Development is no longer linear or patient. It is rapid, speculative and shaped by clauses written years earlier.

Rapid rise at Como

There is substance behind the interest. Ramón “has quickly stood out as a composed, technically gifted centre-back with exceptional reading of the game”, becoming a regular starter and one of Como’s most reliable performers. Sixteen league appearances might not sound like much, but context matters. Serie A remains tactically demanding, particularly for defenders, and Ramón has looked comfortable within it.

That comfort has translated into confidence from his club. A contract until 2030 signals belief, but it also masks the reality that Como are not the ultimate decision makers.

Real Madrid’s lingering influence

The story pivots on Real Madrid. When Ramón left Spain, Madrid protected their interests ruthlessly, inserting “an €8 million buy-back option and a 50% sell-on clause”. It is a familiar tactic, one that ensures leverage without risk.

Caught Offside note that while his market value sits around €18 million, “the real cost to Premier League clubs could be substantially higher”. Madrid can either reclaim him cheaply or profit handsomely from any sale. Either way, control remains in Madrid.

This makes negotiations delicate. Any Premier League side must satisfy Como’s valuation while accounting for Madrid’s slice, a financial puzzle rather than a straight transfer.

Premier League appeal

Chelsea reportedly view Ramón as “a long-term investment who fits their youth-focused recruitment strategy”, language that aligns neatly with recent policy. Liverpool’s interest feels more stylistic. They admire “his pace and composure”, qualities suited to a high defensive line and aggressive pressing.

Others see adaptability. Newcastle, Brighton and Crystal Palace believe “he could adapt quickly to English football with the right environment”. That caveat matters. Development depends as much on context as talent.

Ultimately, as Caught Offside conclude, “the decisive element this month will be Real Madrid’s stance”. In modern football, that is often the quiet truth.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report feels both intriguing and familiar. Ramón ticks several boxes stylistically. Pace, composure, and reading of the game are precisely what Liverpool demand from centre backs, particularly under a system that asks defenders to defend space as much as strikers.

That said, there are layers of caution. Liverpool already lack depth at centre back, and their recent recruitment suggests targeted precision rather than opportunistic accumulation. A 21 year old with 16 Serie A appearances would represent potential rather than immediate impact.

The Real Madrid factor also complicates things. Liverpool have historically avoided deals where another elite club retains significant control. The idea of paying a premium knowing Madrid can profit twice may not align with their model.

However, there is a strategic angle. If Liverpool believe Ramón can develop into a long term starter, the cost could be justified, especially given the scarcity of elite young defenders. Watching Chelsea circle often sharpens focus too.

For now, this feels like informed admiration rather than imminent movement. Liverpool will watch, analyse and wait. If Madrid blink, the conversation changes quickly.