Despite repeated links with Arsenal there is still no further clarity on where Rodrygo will finish the summer transfer window.
Uncertainty sparked when the Gunners target, 24, began to slip further out of the fold under former boss Carlo Ancelotti. In the tail end of the 2024/25 campaign a half-time substitution in the Copa del Rey final was swiftly followed by 90 minutes on the bench in El Clasico that decided the La Liga title in Barcelona’s favour.
Rodrygo then sat out the final five matches of last season, at which rumours of a switch to either Arsenal or other top European clubs began to brew.
Ancelotti was replaced by Xabi Alonso to spark some hope of a career at Madrid being revived, however only one start at the summer’s FIFA Club World Cup has only served to intensify the transfer debate.
Now with one final month to finalise transfers, there is no suggestion yet as to whether Rodrygo is going to move or where that would be to.
So, football.london analyses the latest updates in this saga and especially the Gunners’ place in all of it.
No decision announced
If Rodrygo wanted to leave Real, he has been given plenty of time to voice the intention to his employers.
According to Spanish publication Marca, there has not been a peep.
They say between July 9, the day Alonso’s side were eliminated from the Club World Cup, and the start of August, no players or their connected representatives have come forward to president Florentino Perez to say they wish to leave.
It is put down to the financial incentive the club can offer compared to those they may be have offers to leave for.
football.london says: There is still plenty of time for Rodrygo to voice his concerns and Arsenal to make their move. Even if the player is rewarded handsomely for his efforts, there will be more things to consider for the upcoming season like playing time and how this will impact chances of being included in next summer’s FIFA World Cup. Rodrygo is yet to return to pre-season training and can make an informed decision about his future only after he does so.
Open to offers
Even if Rodrygo has not come forward yet, ESPN Brazil believe his club will be open to offers from any interested clubs.
Internal discussions last season were pointing towards this outcome and apparently since Alonso has signed as manager, the consensus has only grown.
The manager’s system is going to be to play with only two forwards, meaning Los Blancos have too many on their books. The idea is to get rid of some who will not have easy access to the starting line-up and pad the squad out with the midfielders and defenders that will be required.
Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also linked to the player.
football.london says: Arsenal have got the initiative if this is the case and it would be up to them to test the waters with a proposal made to Real. This would force the hand of both the Spanish club and their player to take action and make decisions before the coming season begins.
