Xabi Alonso clarifies Rodrygo decision as Arsenal eye Real Madrid transfer compromise
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso insists "nothing is happening" with Rodrygo despite leaving him on the bench throughout their opening win over Osasuna at the weekend.
The Brazilian has been linked with the Bernabeu exit door all summer having fallen down the pecking order following Carlo Ancelotti's departure. The forward was only a peripheral figure throughout Real's Club World Cup effort and his selection woes have now continued.
He was left out for the team's first La Liga game of the season, only furthering speculation that he will look to find a way out of the club. Alonso though maintains that he will look to Rodrygo later in this season, playing down the importance of leaving him out.
The ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss told reporters: 'Rodrygo? Nothing is happening. I count on Rodrygo of course. It's just a game, this was my decision."
Rodrygo's importance has appeared to dwindle in recent years with Kylian Mbappe now the main man in attack alongside Vinicius Jnr. Jude Bellingham is also a shining light. Brahim Diaz also got the nod over Rodygo at the weekend.
Arsenal are among those to have been heavily linked with the Real star, who will not come cheap if he does move. Mikel Arteta had been looking to bolster his flanks in attack but their attention looks to have turned to the likes of Eberechi Eze.
Given the financial demands of the deal the Premier League side had looked to pitch an agreement with the Spanish side that would've seen them take Rodrygo on loan this summer. Twelve months later they would then buy him permanently but that offer hasn't tempted Real.
The player himself is only thought to be open to moving to Arsenal, Manchester City or Rodrygo. City's interest has cooled after they chose not to cash in on Savinho. The winger was potentially going to provide the funds to go after Rodrygo, but that situation has now been shelved after City bosses blocked a potential move to Tottenham.
Liverpool have made it known that they want to bring in more firepower. The sales of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have left them lighter in attack but their attention is on securing a British-record deal for Alexander Isak.
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