Rodrygo is no longer comfortable at Real Madrid. After a season full of mixed signals, the Brazilian finds himself in the middle of uncertainty at the club where he grew up, shined, but where he now seems to no longer have the same space. Arsenal sees this as an opportunity. And Real Madrid has already put a number on the table: €90 million, according to the Daily Mail. What seemed unlikely a few months ago is now a serious discussion. And it could become one of the biggest deals of the next transfer window.
The discomfort that didn’t go unnoticed
The final stretch of last season was different for Rodrygo. Even with important appearances, he started getting left out of decisive matches. Mbappé’s arrival created a new scenario. The rise of Bellingham and the unquestionable protagonism of Vinícius Junior pushed the Brazilian to the background. According to European outlets, the player himself told the club that he no longer wanted to play for them at that moment, which would explain his absence in the clásico against Barcelona.
That episode, added to the fact that he started on the bench in important games, increased the feeling that his cycle was nearing the end. His relationship with Ancelotti had already shown signs of wear, and even without public controversies, the signs were clear inside the club. Rodrygo didn’t want to just be part of the squad. He wanted to play. And play at a high level, with consistent minutes.
Xabi Alonso arrived and the situation became unclear
The arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach put a stop to the speculation. Rodrygo, who took part in the first training sessions with the new coach, was well evaluated and showed commitment. In Real Madrid’s Club World Cup debut, he started, assisted a goal, and left a good impression. After that, he was rested but kept his focus and professional attitude.
Despite that, the scenario remains undefined. There have been no guarantees that he’ll be a central part of the new project. And that’s exactly the kind of silence that feeds doubt and offers. Arsenal’s interest is the most concrete so far.
Arsenal is watching closely but hasn’t made a move yet
The English club has been following Rodrygo for a long time. The interest is real, but there hasn’t been a formal offer yet. That’s because Arsenal is expected to act only after the player says he wants to leave. Until that happens, the board is analyzing the situation. The asking price is high, but not out of line with current Premier League standards. And the Gunners know they need to strengthen their attacking sector urgently.
Last season, the London team fell short in terms of offensive production. Not to mention that they lost many players due to injury. The lack of offensive presence in key moments cost them important points. And that’s where Rodrygo enters as a possible solution.
However, Arsenal isn’t alone in this. Manchester City is watching the situation from afar. And even without any public moves, the interest is real. Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the Brazilian. Rodrygo, for his part, seems open to hearing different options. He wants minutes, he wants to be a protagonist, and above all, he wants clarity about his role. Even though he has a contract and strong ties with Real, the desire for a change of scenery is gaining strength.
The question isn’t whether he has a market. The question is where he’ll find the space he’s looking for. Guardiola has already shown interest in players with similar traits. And City has the power to convince, along with a squad that rotates frequently.