Rodrygo Exit: Real Madrid Star Could Leave Under Xabi Alonso

Rodrygo Goes finds himself at a career crossroads as Real Madrid’s new era under Xabi Alonso begins to take shape. The 24-year-old Brazilian winger, once considered untouchable at the Santiago Bernabéu, now appears “far down the pecking order” under the Spanish tactician. With multiple Premier League clubs circling and Madrid open to sales, the coming weeks could determine whether Rodrygo’s five-year journey in white comes to an end this summer.

Alonso’s Cold Assessment: Rodrygo Drops Down Pecking Order

The last six months have been very difficult for Rodrygo, whose performance levels have not been up to standard. During the recent Club World Cup, he started only once (vs Al Hilal), which made it clear that Alonso does not consider him to be as important as Carlo Ancelotti saw him previously.

This stark reality represents a dramatic shift from Rodrygo’s previous status under Carlo Ancelotti. Under the Italian manager, the Brazilian was often deployed in crucial matches and considered a key component of Madrid’s attacking trident. However, Alonso’s arrival has brought a more pragmatic approach to squad selection, with performance taking precedence over reputation.

Real Madrid are currently focusing on sales, and one player that could leave before the end of the summer transfer window is Rodrygo Goes. The 24-year-old appears to be far down the pecking order for head coach Xabi Alonso, and that could only get worse once Franco Mastantuono joins in the next couple of weeks.

The anticipated arrival of Franco Mastantuono, the highly-rated Argentine youngster, threatens to push Rodrygo even further down the hierarchy. At just 17 years old, Mastantuono represents the future of Real Madrid’s attacking options, while Rodrygo increasingly looks like a player whose time at the Bernabéu may have run its course.

Premier League Scramble: Multiple Clubs Eye Brazilian Star

Liverpool Lead the Charge

TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Rudy Galetti, has reported that Liverpool have set their sights on Rodrygo as a replacement for Luiz Diaz, who has joined Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The Reds view Rodrygo as the ideal successor to Díaz, offering similar pace and directness but with added Champions League experience and proven quality at the highest level.

Reports suggest that a Spanish journalist has claimed that Liverpool have already made an offer to Rodrygo, with the forward happy with it and ready to move to Anfield, though this information awaits confirmation from additional sources.

Arsenal’s Complex Pursuit

Arsenal’s interest in Rodrygo has been well-documented, but recent developments suggest complications in their pursuit. We’ve talked about Rodrygo and a potential Premier League move both here and on the podcast before: His dribbling makes him a major ceiling-raiser, and he’d instantly make any team better. He’s worth a big fee and wage to Arsenal, much more so than Eze.

However, recent reports have suggested that the Real Madrid superstar’s wage demands were posing an issue for Mikel Arteta’s side, who have already spent big on players like Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke.

The financial reality has forced Arsenal to consider alternatives. As such, The Athletic reports that Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon have gained traction as potential signings for Arsenal – a development that further distances Rodrygo from a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Tottenham’s Ambitious Plans

As reported by TBR Football, Rodrygo is said to be interested in joining Tottenham Hotspur, who are on the lookout for a new left winger due to the expected departure of Son Heung-min. Spurs view the Brazilian as a potential cornerstone signing who could lead their next chapter.

Spurs see him as a potential face of the team should Heung-min Son depart for Major League Soccer. But a move to Tottenham does not appeal to the 24-year-old at the moment. This lukewarm response suggests Rodrygo has his sights set on destinations he perceives as more prestigious or offering better chances of silverware.

Manchester United’s Interest Dismissed

According to Mundo Deportivo, Man Utd have also taken a shine to Rodrygo. The Spanish news outlet has reported that Amorim’s side have ‘shown interest in Rodrygo’. The three-time LaLiga winner and two-time Champions League winner with Madrid, though, does not fancy a move to Old Trafford.

The report has claimed that Man Utd is ‘not a destination that appeals’ to Rodrygo. This rejection highlights the Brazilian’s desire to join a club that can offer immediate Champions League football and realistic title aspirations.

Real Madrid’s Strategic Calculations

Transfer Valuation

Sources have told TEAMtalk that Madrid are demanding €90million (£78m / $105m) plus add-ons for Rodrygo. This substantial fee reflects both Madrid’s recognition of Rodrygo’s market value and their lack of desperation to sell.

However, according to the report, Real Madrid would want £70m to sell Rodrygo, which is an amount that Spurs would be able to pay – given that they were willing to pay close to this for Morgan Gibbs-White, whose transfer recently fell through. The varying price points suggest Madrid may be flexible depending on the buying club and structure of the deal.

The Rodri Connection

The Spanish news outlet has claimed that Madrid plan to offload Rodrygo in the summer transfer window and want to use him to sign Rodri from Man City. The Spanish and European giants would love to do ‘a swap deal’ with the Premier League club for the Spain international midfielder.

Rodri is Madrid president Florentino Perez’s ‘ultimate dream’ to fill the void left by Toni Kroos, but Man City are not going to sell Rodri this summer, with the midfielder being a crucial figure in the Cityzens’ team. This ambitious plan demonstrates Madrid’s strategic thinking but faces the reality of Manchester City’s reluctance to lose their key midfielder.

Alonso’s Rehabilitation Project

Despite the transfer speculation, Alonso hasn’t completely written off Rodrygo. Indeed, the Real Madrid manager has a clear goal – to help Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, and Raul Asencio recover both their footballing form and mental focus.

As for Rodrygo, there has been endless speculation about a departure from Real Madrid, but nothing has come of it thus far. The 24-year-old forward insists he wants to stay but continues to listen to offers from the Premier League.

The manager’s approach focuses on performance improvement: It is not entirely ruled out that Rodrygo ends up staying at Real Madrid, and if he does, Alonso will push him hard to rediscover his speed, dribbling, and creativity while also asking him to show more in his off-ball work.

Financial Implications and Market Reality

Player’s Wage Demands

According to Mundo Deportivo, Rodrygo wants a salary of €12million (£10.4m, $13.7m) per year at his new club. These substantial wage demands reflect his status as a proven performer at the highest level but also present obstacles for potential suitors.

If I were running Arsenal, I’d be much more interested in Rodrygo at £78m than Eze at £67.5m, but a player coming from Real Madrid is going to demand a much bigger wage packet than one coming from Crystal Palace.

Market Timing

Meanwhile, Real Madrid seem increasingly concerned that they could be left bag holding on a depreciating asset if no one buys Rodrygo this summer and he spends the year glued to the bench. This concern drives Madrid’s willingness to entertain offers, even if they’re not entirely satisfied with current valuations.

The Decision Timeline

Rodrygo is set to return to pre-season with Madrid on August 4 and will hold talks with Alonso over his future before making a final decision. These discussions will prove crucial in determining whether the Brazilian stays to fight for his place or seeks opportunities elsewhere.

Alonso plans to meet individually with all three players once the squad returns to training on Monday and from thereon, it remains to be seen how things progress. The outcome of these conversations could either reinvigorate Rodrygo’s Madrid career or accelerate his departure.

Positional Challenges and Future Prospects

It does feel like the right time for Rodrygo to leave Real Madrid, especially given that he will not be able to play in his preferred left winger position. He would be able to do this at Spurs, where he would be a talismanic figure.

The positional logjam at Madrid, with Vinicius Jr. established on the left and Kylian Mbappé’s arrival adding further competition, has created a situation where even a player of Rodrygo’s caliber struggles for consistent opportunities. As it stands, Mbappe, Vinicius, and even Gonzalo Garcia are ahead of him.

A Summer of Decisions

Rodrygo’s situation exemplifies the ruthless nature of elite football, where even established performers can find themselves surplus to requirements following tactical shifts and new arrivals. The Brazilian’s talent remains unquestionable, but his future at Real Madrid appears increasingly uncertain under Alonso’s pragmatic management style.

The coming weeks will determine whether Madrid’s focus on sales results in Rodrygo’s departure or if Alonso’s rehabilitation efforts can restore the winger to his previous prominence. With Premier League clubs monitoring the situation closely and Madrid open to reasonable offers, all parties face critical decisions that could reshape careers and squad compositions.

For Rodrygo, the choice between fighting for his place at the world’s biggest club or seeking guaranteed opportunities elsewhere represents a career-defining moment. His response to this challenge will ultimately determine where the next chapter of his career unfolds.

Read More: Real Madrid Begin 15-Day Preseason on August 4 Ahead of La Liga 2025-26 Opener

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