Real Madrid’s Rodrygo continues to be linked with a move away from the Spanish capital, with continued interest from Premier League clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool in particular.
The Brazilian forward has been among the most coveted forwards in the transfer window. Tottenham Hotspur have also been interested in the services of the winger.
However, the latest developments in the transfer market hint that Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta will be battling it out for Rodrygo in the closing weeks of the transfer window. The football faithful are in for a treat as the saga stretches on until the final moments of the summer window.
Despite the continued interest in the Real Madrid star, Arsenal and Liverpool will both be approaching the deal with terms and conditions of their own. Some of these concerns might not fit perfectly with Los Blancos’ long-term vision and approach. Arsenal seem to want Eberechi Eze while Liverpool want Alexander Isak.
Rodrygo’s story
The player arrived in Madrid as a teenager and has hit the ground running ever since. Rodrygo’s name is synonymous with clutch goals among the Real Madrid faithful, especially his single-handed 2-goal effort against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League 3 seasons ago.
However, despite being a regular feature and a fan favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu, Rodrygo’s position in the squad has diminished slightly. Last summer marked the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, implying that Rodrygo had to be reshuffled in the pecking order.
Naturally, Rodrygo is right-footed, suggesting he would perform better on the left wing. The presence of Vincius Jr at the club has deterred Rodrygo from nailing down the left flank for himself.
The 24-year-old attacker enjoyed a strong relationship with former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti. That did not seem to matter much as Rodrygo competed with the likes of Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler and Endrick for game time with three spots not up for grabs in the starting eleven due to Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
The transfer saga
Neither Arsenal nor Liverpool are putting Rodrygo at the top of their priority wish list this summer. The star attacker has emerged as a backup option for the two Premier League clubs if they fail to sign their transfer targets.
Rodrygo’s massive wage demands, coupled with Real Madrid’s reluctance to hear offers, have left the Premier League teams in a tricky position. Interestingly, the player has started to train with the first team squad after reassuring the club about his desire to continue at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Arsenal are aggressively pushing for a move for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze in a bid to bolster Arsenal’s attacking options. The Gunners could make a last-ditch attempt to loan Rodrygo with an obligation to buy next summer. A practice the club recently used to great advantage with Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool, on the other hand, is desperate to land Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and have tabled at least a couple of bids to land the former Real Sociedad forward. Arne Slot has paved the way in his squad by letting go of the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.
The coming few weeks in the transfer window will be no short of thrills, with several big-money transfers still awaited. Rodrygo has a call to make, either to impress Xabi Alonso at the helm in Madrid or seek an easier route in seeking greener pastures in the Premier League.