Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso benched Rodrygo for the full 90 minutes in Tuesday\'s 1-0 victory over Osasuna, intensifying speculation about the Brazilian forward\'s potential Premier League move.
Several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, have reportedly expressed interest in the 24-year-old. ESPN reported that Real Madrid would demand around $116 million to negotiate Rodrygo\'s transfer, with a minimum fee of $93 million.
Alonso downplayed the significance of Rodrygo\'s absence from Madrid\'s LaLiga opener. The manager emphasized that tactical decisions, not transfer speculation, influenced his team selection.
\"It was only a match. If in three months he still isn\'t getting these minutes, then it\'s different,\" Alonso said. \"Nothing\'s going on. I think we can leave the Club World Cup behind us and what really counts is this season. And of course I count on Rodrygo.\"
Sources told ESPN that most transfer reports are unfounded rumors and no official negotiations have occurred with other clubs. Real Madrid confirmed no offers have been received to date.
Rodrygo\'s status changed dramatically with the emergence of the Kylian Mbappe-Vinicius Junior-Jude Bellingham attacking trio. The Brazilian previously starred in Madrid\'s legendary 2022 Champions League comeback against Manchester City, scoring twice in 60 seconds.
Real Madrid acquired Rodrygo from Santos for approximately $62 million in 2018 when he was 17. The transfer window closes in less than a month, and sources suggest a Premier League move would appeal most to the forward if he departs.
Mbappe scored the decisive goal in his LaLiga debut for Real Madrid, giving Alonso a winning start to his first full season as manager.
Via ESPN