Arsenal target Rodrygo handed deadline to 'convince everyone' at Real Madrid he deserves his place
Arsenal target Rodrygo has been handed a deadline to convince everyone he belongs at Real Madrid, as per a report.
The 24-year-old developed into an integral player for Madrid since joining from Brazilian side Santos for €45million (£37.9m) in 2019.
The forward, who has also won 33 caps for Brazil, may have a lower profile than fellow attackers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr, yet he still has a hugely impressive record at the Bernabeu.
Rodrygo has 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances for Los Blancos but after a difficult campaign, reports have linked him with a move away this summer, with Arsenal believed to be one of many Premier League clubs interested.
And with speculation rampant, Madrid have told Rodrygo he must prove he can fit into Xabi Alonso 's system at the upcoming Club World Cup, according to Spanish outlet Marca.
The revamped 32-team tournament runs through mid-June to mid-July, meaning the Brazilian forward has around seven weeks to get back to his best.
Teams are expected to take this year's Club World Cup more serious than ever before, considering the mammoth prize pool at stake.
The side that takes the trophy home will receive a windfall of $40m (£30m), while a team winning of their games could see them land up to $125m (£92m).
For reference, the winner of the Champions League earns around £120m, while the Premier League champions typically earn between £38m and £40m for finishing first.
Sky Sports Germany previously claimed Arsenal are in talks with the 24-year-old over a move and that he is at the top of their list of targets on the wing, although he has also been touted with a move to Man City, Man United and Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta was pressed on these links prior to Arsenal's final game of the campaign against Southampton - which saw them win 2-1.
'If you want to win titles, you have to be the best in the market,' Arteta said, as he refused to confirm or deny the links. 'The teams that win have the best players.
'It's a matter of pride. It shows we've brought the club to a level where people expect us to challenge for trophies.
'What is clear with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat and we need firepower'.
Rodrygo scored 18 goals and claimed nine assists in the 2023-24 season as Madrid won the treble.
But he has failed to follow it up this season, only bagging six times and providing six assists in LaLiga.
He has scored just once in his last 22 matches, last netting against Atletico Madrid in March.
Rodrygo was not called up for Carlo Ancelotti's inaugural Brazil squad, whom the former Madrid boss now manages.
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