Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has responded to Rodrygo's latest Instagram post - as the Real Madrid star prepares for the Club World Cup.
Owing to injury and illness, the Brazil international endured a mixed end to the domestic season and that saw exit rumours spark. Former Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti swiftly dismissed those, but it is now Xabi Alonso that is in charge.
Unsurprisingly, the Spaniard was asked about Rodrygo's future at his first press conference - with his answer quite telling. "He's a Madrid player and I will have a conversation with everyone because we need to do so," he admitted to reporters on Monday. "We'll get to know each other. He's a spectacular player and we need him."
A conversation regarding his future looks to have taken place with Marca recently claiming he has told Real that he would like to stay.
In response to that, it has been noted that Los Blancos have laid down the gauntlet and asked him him to prove his worth over the next month.
A one-to-one chat with Alonso will likely have to wait until after the tournament with a report from The Athletic stating that he wants to first speak to the Spaniard before entertaining any offers - with approaches having been made through intermediaries by some Premier League teams.
With his preference being to play on the left or through the middle and feel important, the 24-year-old, said to be valued at £84.4milliion (€100m), could be perfect for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the player and the need for an elite-level versatile attacking addition is clear. His reluctance to play on the right is also a good thing, considering Bukayo Saka has locked down that position.
Following his performances this season, prior to getting injured, Gabriel is another that will be one of the first names on the team sheet with a new contract for the centre-back recently confirmed.
Alongside Gabriel Jesus and namesake Martinelli, he is one of three Brazilians at the club, but he may be hoping that increases to four courtesy of Rodrygo. The Madrid forward recently posted a collage of photos to Instagram with Gabriel among the 785,000 to like his update.
He has also been very active on Instagram stories with several training photos posted ahead of Real's Club World Cup opener against Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on Wednesday, June 18.
Mexican outfit Pachuca and Austrian side RB Salzburg await after that with the expectation being they will qualify out of their group. Despite their stint in the tournament being longer, work on a deal for Rodrygo could be completed in the meantime with the summer transfer window open, once again, two days prior to their first game.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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