Arsenal - Andrea Berta
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Real Madrid and newly appointed head coach Xabi Alonso are reportedly prepared to sanction the departure of Arsenal target, Rodrygo Goes this summer, if a suitable offer is received according toThe Athletic’s Mario Cortegana.
The 24-year-old, once considered a cornerstone of Madrid’s future attack, is now facing an uncertain future at the Bernabéu. Despite making 30 La Liga appearances in the 2024/25 season, including 22 starts, Rodrygo has recently seen his playing time reduced significantly, featuring for just 23 minutes across Real Madrid’s three Club World Cup matches.
The arrival of Kylian Mbappé last summer, combined with the established presence of Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, has forced Rodrygo into a more peripheral role, often being deployed on the right flank rather than his favoured position on the left. Sources close to the player suggest this positional shift has led to frustration, with Rodrygo reportedly unhappy at being used as a “space-filler” across the frontline.
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Real Madrid are understood to be willing to cash in on the forward if an offer in the region of €90 million (£77m) is made. While the club officially maintains its desire to retain Rodrygo, insiders claim his sale could help fund reinforcements in midfield and defence, areas Alonso is keen to strengthen.
🚨BREAKING: Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso are open to Rodrygo leaving this summer.
They have agreed the club will not stand in the player’s way if a suitable offer is made.
Arsenal have held preliminary talks with Rodrygo’s camp.
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Arsenal have emerged as serious contenders for Rodrygo’s signature. Mikel Arteta is said to be an admirer of the Brazilian and views him as a key addition to his squad as the Gunners aim to mount another Premier League title challenge. Preliminary talks have reportedly taken place between Arsenal and Rodrygo’s representatives, with the North London club also monitoring alternatives including Nico Williams and Anthony Gordon.
However, any move for Rodrygo may depend on Arsenal’s ability to manage Financial Fair Play considerations, given the size of the potential fee and the player’s existing long-term contract, which runs until 2028 and includes a €1 billion release clause. Despite that clause, Madrid are historically open to negotiations when the right offer arrives, as demonstrated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018.
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Rodrygo’s camp has pushed back on suggestions of motivational issues, which surfaced during a difficult stretch last season. The Brazilian remains highly rated within the game, with Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães recently labelling him a “phenomenon” and publicly welcoming the idea of a move to the Emirates.
While Rodrygo has produced memorable performances in a Madrid shirt, such as his Champions League hat-trick against Galatasaray in 2019 and a dramatic brace against Manchester City in 2022, his inconsistency this season, including just one goal in the past three months, has led to questions over his long-term role in a star-studded Madrid squad.
With Arsenal and potentially other Premier League clubs circling, the coming weeks could be pivotal in determining the next chapter of Rodrygo’s career. For now, Real Madrid are leaving the door open.
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