Manchester City is the latest club to be linked with a move for Rodrygo this summer, with Liverpool also said to have been contacted about the Brazilian forward.
Rodrygo looks to be edging closer and closer to the exit door at the Bernabeu following Xabi Alonso’s arrival as manager. The 24-year-old has been linked with a move away for the past 12 months after Kylian Mbappe’s signing, and he looks to be falling further out of favor now with Los Blancos.
The forward has started just one of Real’s five games at the Club World Cup so far, and was left on the bench for games against Pachuca and Juventus, while he was only afforded four minutes in the quarterfinals against Borussia Dortmund.
According to The Athletic, both Madrid and Alonso are open to letting Rodrygo leave this summer, which will no doubt pique the interest of a few clubs.
Liverpool may well be one of those, having been linked with Rodrygo for some time, although Arsenal has been more strongly linked recently.
There could be no shortage of competition for the Gunners and the Reds though, with TBR Football suggesting that Manchester City is also among a host of big clubs that have been contacted by the player’s representatives.
It’s claimed that City, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and other clubs have been contacted alongside Liverpool and Arsenal, with the player’s intermediaries gauging interest.
Real Madrid is reportedly open to letting Rodrygo leave this summer
Real Madrid is reportedly open to letting Rodrygo leave this summer (Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
It is suggested that Arsenal is considered the serious contender for Rodrygo right now, although the Brazilian’s comments on City last year might not fill the Gunners or Liverpool with hope.
Speaking after Real’s 4-4 draw on aggregate with City in the Champions League, Rodrygo told GQ in Spain in May 2024: “To be honest, we knew they were better. For me, they’re the best team in the world, the one that plays the best football.”
It looks as though Liverpool would have to come from behind in the race should it want to make a play for Rodrygo this summer, although the Reds have come close to signing him before.
Rodrygo #11 of Real Madrid C.F. arrives
Rodrygo turned down a move to Liverpool back in 2017 (Image: Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Speaking to Goal last year, the Brazilian explained how close he came to joining the Reds back in 2017, before deciding to turn down the move to Anfield.
“We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good,” Rodrygo explained.
“The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career. I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football. It had always been my dream to play in Europe.
“Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club. And that’s what happened: I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool.”