Real Madrid shakes down Liverpool

Real Madrid, after letting Luis Figo go this summer to pursue another club, have turned tail and are asking Liverpool for a 3m euro transfer fee.

This is a strange development. A shakedown, like mafia would do.

So now that Figo has settled terms with Liverpool it seems Madrid are going back on their word. Under transfer rules Liverpool couldn’t talk to Figo to agree on anything without express permission from Madrid, so they had the right to talk.

So unfortunately Figo’s career at Madrid is going to end ugly. And he might end up without a club. Liverpool should pay it, it’s a nominal fee and it’s true that, technically, the player has a year on his contract. Madrid (technically) have the right to demand a fee so to hell with them.

Hold your nose and grab the talent. It’s reported that the club and player have agreed to the salary, it would be a shame to sink the deal over this.

I’ve wanted Luis Figo in the Premiership for years. I know he’s 32 and has lost a step. But players like Gianfranco Zola of Chelsea had great elderly years in England. And Figo is not slow. He can cross from either side, keep the ball, create, scores a few, and has a footballer’s brain to boot.

And experience should count for something; he would do a lot to improve Liverpool’s maturity by helping the team show it in a more measured and consistent manner across a Premiership season.

Where do you buy that for 3 million euros?