Rodrygo to Arsenal transfer latest amid Real Madrid ‘rift’ and Kylian Mbappe reality

Rodrygo has emerged as a potential target for a few Premier League clubs after expressing a desire to leave Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old forward faces an uncertain future in the Spanish capital after falling out of favour under Carlo Ancelotti.

Rodrygo, who sees his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expire in June 2028, has featured 30 times in La Liga this season, scoring six goals and providing six assists. The Brazil international was once a key player for Real , but he’s recently struggled to force himself into the starting lineup.

He was an unused substitute at El Clásico on Sunday afternoon, watching from the sidelines as Barcelona defeated Los Blancos 4-3 at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.

The Catalan giants are now seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with three games to go.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Rodrygo doesn’t want to play for the club again. The report claims that the Brazilian feels ‘displaced’ after the ‘media explosion’ surrounding Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, which has created a rift with Vinicius Junior.

It’s said that Rodrygo is angry at having lost the starring role he hoped to share with his fellow countryman. Marca add that the forward’s relationship with his teammates has ‘deteriorated significantly’, as a result.

While Rodrygo has made it clear that he wants to leave and Real are not ruling out his departure, his future will depend on Xabi Alonso, who is set to replace Ancelotti this summer. The Daily Mail have reported that the forward has attracted interest from Arsenal.

However, the Gunners face tough competition from Liverpool and Manchester City for Rodrygo’s signature. Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, Paul Robinson urged Arsenal to sign the Real superstar.

“He is a wide player – they need a number nine, but if you sign him and a number nine, that’s a real statement,” said the former Premier League goalkeeper. “What it would cost you to get Rodrygo, and would he want to go to Arsenal, is two different things.

“The need for a number nine is pressing. [Bukayo] Saka will play on the right-hand side, Rodrygo can play on the left – if you have those two as a wide pairing, that’s one hell of a pairing to fit in behind a world-class number nine.

“With [Gabriel] Martinelli and [Leandro] Trossard, neither of those two have hit the heights regularly, performance-wise, that you would expect from the likes of Saka.

“So to upgrade on that side, yes, that’s an option for Arsenal. Raheem Sterling, his loan’s not going to be made permanent, that’s not going to happen. He’ll be looking for pastures new at the start of next season.”