Real Madrid and new coach Xabi Alonso are open to Brazil forward Rodrygo leaving the club this summer. The 24-year-old has played only 23 minutes under Alonso in three matches since the manager\'s appointment, according to sources speaking anonymously to The Athletic.
Rodrygo made his first appearance for Madrid in 53 days during their Club World Cup opener against Al Hilal on June 18. The Brazilian has struggled for playing time amid concerns about his motivation in training under previous coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Arsenal Interest Emerges
Arsenal are monitoring Rodrygo and have held preliminary talks with the player\'s representatives in recent weeks. The Gunners\' coaching staff admire the versatile attacker, who they believe could play on both flanks of their attack.
Arsenal\'s interest in other left-sided attackers like Anthony Gordon and Nico Williams has cooled. Any major signing would require player sales to balance the books given the considerable transfer fees involved.
Playing Time Concerns
Rodrygo\'s father and agent Eric Goes has complained about his son\'s situation at Madrid. The forward has been sidelined at times due to the high-profile trio of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham competing for attacking positions.
Sources at Madrid told The Athletic that the club will not stand in Rodrygo\'s way if a suitable offer arrives. However, when contacted officially, Madrid said they have no intention of selling the player and expect him to contribute significantly to the team\'s future.
Career Background
Madrid signed Rodrygo from Santos for €40 million in 2019 when he was 18 years old. He made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 Champions League victory against Galatasaray in November of that year.
The attacker played crucial roles in Madrid\'s two Champions League triumphs under Ancelotti since 2021. However, persistent doubts about his consistency have emerged, with Rodrygo arguing his natural position is on the left flank occupied by Vinicius Jr and Mbappe.