Real Madrid and Rodrygo drop biggest transfer hint yet amid Arsenal interest

Real Madrid have dropped the biggest hint yet regarding a potential move to Arsenal for Rodrygo.

The 24-year-old Brazilian has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer. Reports have claimed that Rodrygo is ‘high’ on Arsenal’s summer shortlist as the club attempt to strengthen their attack.

He has spent the last eight years at Real Madrid, winning 13 major honours, including the Champions League twice and La Liga three times. In that time, he has made 267 appearances, scoring 68 goals and adding 50 assists.

However, Rodrygo’s game time was reduced during the 2024/25 season, as he dropped down the pecking order under former boss Carlo Anceletti. Although new Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is expected to hold a meeting with Rodrygo over his future, speculation has increased about a proposed transfer.

But Real have offered a major indication that Rodrygo could remain at the Santiago Bernabeu after he was pictured in the club’s kit leak. In a collaborative Instagram post involving adidas and Real , Rodrygo featured on the final image, as he was captured holding the 2025/26 shirt up in the air.

Despite the talk surrounding his future, Rodrygo then shared the post on his own Instagram story, suggesting that he might remain at Real and be around to wear the new strip next season.

Regardless, Rodrygo is no doubt going to be hoping for a much-improved 2025/26 campaign after he was left out of the Brazil squad for June matches against Ecuador and Paraguay. New Brazil boss Ancelotti, who managed Rodrygo at Real, decided to omit him from the squad for those two World Cup qualifiers.

Ancelotti said the reason behind Rodrygo’s omission was because of the taxing season he had at Real and he prioritised players that are in peak condition and capable of making an immediate impact.

However, Brazil were not able to win during Ancelotti’s first game in charge on Friday, as they were held to a drab 0-0 draw against Ecuador. Richarlison and Vinicius Jr led the line for Brazil, who created some notable opportunities but couldn’t break down a solid Ecuador back-line.

Toward the end of the 2024/25 season, Ancelotti cleared up the reasoning behind not picking Rodrygo for recent Real games.

“He didn’t play because he recovered but wasn’t feeling well, so he wasn’t at his best,” he said. “There’s absolutely no punishment, no problems with him. He was feverish, he tried to recover and be ready but he wasn’t 100 percent.

“Giving him five minutes when he’s not feeling well poses a risk, that he could get injured.”