Arsenal and Liverpool to battle for Real Madrid star

Suraj Radia

• 21 Mar 2024 21:10 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the heavyweight Premier League sides expected to battle to sign Rodrygo if he leaves Real Madrid this summer.

The Brazilian’s future is said to be ‘up in the air’ by Spanish outlet SPORT due to the impending arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick, which will further add to the competition at the club in attack.

Rodrygo is thought to be considered ‘non-transferable’ by Real, with more than four years still remaining on his contract containing a release clause of €1 billion.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer news

The likes of Manchester United and Manchester City are also aware that signing Rodrygo is thought to be an ‘impossible mission’ unless the player asks to leave or Real put him on the market, which could see them ask for a fee of around €100m.

There is not thought to be any desire on either side to push for a transfer, with Rodrygo said to be feeling ‘protected’ by Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, who considers the 23-year-old as ‘indispensable’.

Rodrygo is said to understand that his role may be reduced next season due to the new signings but he is willing to compete to earn a spot in the team, having done so throughout his time at Real.

Rodrygo speculation unlikely to result in transfer

With no transfer on the horizon, it could be assumed that the question surrounding Rodrygo’s future could simply just be an attempt to unsettle him, particularly with SPORT’s roots as a Barcelona-based outlet.

However, the interest in Rodrygo would not be unexpected were the situation to change and Premier League sides are likely to be at the front of the queue in that scenario, due to the scale of the transfer.

READ MORE: Latest Real Madrid transfer news

Rodrygo has failed to build on last season where he grabbed 17 goal contribution’s in 34 games, only netting eight goals and five assists so far this year.

But the Brazil international has largely played as a centre-forward this season compared to his preferred right wing role due to the lack of striking options available to Ancelotti.

Rodrygo’s versatility and international pedigree would make him an exciting target for any top side but the prospect of a transfer is virtually non-existent at this stage, with the focus at Real instead on securing the signing of Mbappe.