Chelsea and Liverpool circle emerging Spanish defender as Madrid leverage looms
The modern transfer market rarely deals in straight lines, and Jacobo Ramón’s rise at Como is a reminder that influence can linger long after a player has technically moved on. As reported by Caught Offside, the 21 year old centre back has become one of the most closely monitored defenders of the winter window, with Chelsea and Liverpool among those watching carefully, fully aware that Real Madrid still hold the strongest hand.
Photo: IMAGO
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Ramón’s journey from Madrid to northern Italy last summer was meant to be developmental, a chance to find rhythm and responsibility away from the Bernabeu. Instead, it has accelerated his profile. He has quickly established himself as a starter, standing out for composure, anticipation and technical calm, qualities that tend to travel well across leagues.
Premier League interest grows across the table
Sources close to the agents industry have told Caught Offside that Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool have all tracked Ramón since December, while Newcastle United, Brighton and Crystal Palace have sent scouts to assess him in person. The attraction is obvious. At 21, he already looks comfortable organising space, stepping into midfield with the ball and reading danger early.
Chelsea see him as a long term project, aligned neatly with their youth driven recruitment model. Liverpool’s admiration is more stylistic. His pace and composure fit a high line and aggressive press, traits essential in a system that asks defenders to defend large spaces repeatedly.
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Contract clauses complicate January logic
Any move, however, comes wrapped in complexity. Ramón is under contract at Como until 2030, but Real Madrid ensured their influence remained embedded. An €8 million buy back clause and a 50 percent sell on clause mean Madrid can either reclaim the player themselves or profit significantly from any transfer.
Photo: IMAGO
Although his market value is estimated at around €18 million, the real cost for Premier League clubs could rise well beyond that. As the original report outlines, Madrid could activate the buy back clause and immediately resell him, while Como would still expect a fee reflecting both performance and potential.
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Madrid still shape the endgame
The decisive factor this month is not demand but Madrid’s intent. If they feel Ramón’s development has reached a point worth reclaiming, they can do so swiftly. If not, they still sit at the table, entitled to half of any agreement reached elsewhere.
For clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool, that reality turns admiration into patience. The defender may feel like a smart January opportunity, but he remains part of a longer strategic chess match, one in which Madrid rarely move without reason.
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From a Chelsea perspective, Ramón looks like the sort of defender the club have chased repeatedly, young, technically secure and adaptable. Fans will like the idea of getting ahead of the curve rather than reacting once a player has already exploded in England. The concern is familiar though. With so many young defenders already on the books, supporters may question whether there is a clear pathway or whether this becomes another asset driven move shaped more by opportunity than squad balance.
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Liverpool fans will view it differently. There is an appreciation for defenders who think quickly and play forward, and Ramón’s profile fits that identity. Supporters will trust the recruitment team to avoid overpaying, especially with Madrid involved. There is also an acceptance that this might be one to watch rather than force. If Liverpool move, fans will expect it to be decisive and strategic, not a January gamble shaped by clauses and leverage elsewhere.

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