Liverpool told they once had a player worth £250m who even turned down Real Madrid

Liverpool and Real Madrid have had a slightly odd relationship over the past decade or so.

Having beaten them in two Champions League finals since 2018, Reds supporters have good reason to despise the Spanish giants.

Add to that the fact Madrid seem intent on pinching players from Liverpool every so often, and it is fair to say Los Blancos are not popular on Merseyside.

Tempers have flared most recently with the transfer of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Anfield to the Bernabeu this summer.

Alexander-Arnold trod the same path as Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa before him as he failed to resist the allure of quite possibly the world’s biggest club.

But some have been able to say no to Madrid. One such player is legendary former winger John Barnes. And after footage of Barnes playing in his heyday re-emerged on social media, Liverpool have been told how much he would have been worth in the 21st century.

1989: John Barnes of Liverpool in action during the Canon League Division One match against Coventry City played at Anfield in Liverpool, England. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport

John Barnes was worth £250m

For those lucky enough to have seen Barnes play, his allure has never been lost.

Quick, skilful and with an eye for goal, the Jamaica-born England international is a heavyweight when it comes to Liverpool legends.

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And according to former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison, Barnes would be worth a record transfer fee in this day and age.

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Taking to social media site X on Sunday to repost a compilation of his old Reds teammate in action, Hutchison claimed Barnes could fetch a £250m fee today.

“Have a watch and convince me JB is not worth 250millions these days,” he wrote, alongside a single flame emoji.

Barnes turned down Real Madrid

When Barnes did leave Liverpool after a decade of service in 1997, he did so on a free transfer. Then 34, he joined Newcastle United under fellow Reds icon Kenny Dalglish.

However, as Barnes revealed to TalkSPORT in July 2024, there was a chance for him to move to Real Madrid in 1989.

Joined Left Appearances Goals Trophies 1987 1997 403 106 First Division: 1987/88, 1989/90

FA Cup: 1988/89, 1991/92

League Cup: 1994/95 John Barnes at Liverpool

“”John Toshack was the manager at the time, it was probably his last year [at Real Madrid],” he said. “Of course, managers weren’t allowed to talk to players. I don’t know how I spoke to him, but whatever…

“He said, ‘Would you like to come to Real Madrid?’ I said, ‘I am happy at Liverpool but if you have a bid accepted, then we will talk’.”

Barnes went on to claim that Toshack asked him to force a move away from Anfield, which he was not willing to do.

“Listen, the Scousers know I’d never leave ya! I love ya!” said the now 61-year-old.

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