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Major European club 'enters the race for Rodrygo amid Arsenal and Al-Nassr interest' - with Real Madrid star out of favour under Xabi Alonso

Major European club 'enters the race for Rodrygo amid Arsenal and Al-Nassr interest' - with Real Madrid star out of favour under Xabi Alonso

Daily Mail​9 hours ago
PSG have reportedly entered the race to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo this summer.
Rodrygo's future has been a major talking point in recent months after the Brazilian endured a difficult campaign at the Bernabeu.
The forward, 24, had developed into an integral player for Real since joining from Brazilian side Santos for €45million (£37.9m) in 2019, but he found himself further down the pecking order in 2024-25 after Kylian Mbappe 's arrival last summer.
Things appeared to come to a head when he reportedly told the club he never wanted to play for them again before choosing not to feature in El Clasico against Barcelona in May, with former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti failing to pick him in a squad after that match.
And, despite starting Los Blancos' first game at the Club World Cup under new manager Xabi Alonso, Rodrygo has played just 27 more minutes across the competition.
He has been linked to both Arsenal and Al-Nassr this summer, but according to ESPN Brazil, PSG have now expressed an interest in the 33-cap international.
The report claims that PSG have made contact with Rodrygo's representatives amid the ongoing uncertainty over his future.
PSG boss Luis Enrique is believed to be a big fan of the 24-year-old, although the interest has not gone any further at this stage.
The Parisians had been linked with Rodrygo last summer, and they are keen to build on the strong position they find themselves in this summer after winning the Champions League.
Meanwhile, the interest in Rodrygo from Saudi Arabia was said to come about after it was reported that Cristiano Ronaldo had personally urged Al-Nassr to make a move for the Brazilian.
Al-Nassr chiefs were said to have contacted Rodrygo's entourage when Ronaldo singled out the forward as a priority target.
Although Rodrygo, who is valued at €90m (£77m) by Real, may have a lower profile than the likes of fellow attackers Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr, he still has a hugely impressive record at the Bernabeu.
The 24-year-old has scored 68 goals and added 51 assists in 270 appearances for Los Blancos but it remains unclear what will happen next.
Rodrygo has fallen down the pecking order with the Spanish giants over recent months
Nevertheless, speaking ahead of Real's win over Juventus in the last-16 of the Club World Cup, Alonso maintained that Rodrygo has been training well but also stressed it remains his decision as to who plays.
'After the game I try to approach everyone I meet along the way,' Alonso said. 'He had a few minutes [against Salzburg] that were important for him and he will be important.
'In these championships, sometimes those who start are just as important as those who come in. They can have a decisive impact, so each player has to be prepared for whatever comes their way. Everyone is in a good disposition.
'Rodrygo is training well and I see him in good spirits. Then it's my decision who plays.'
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