Real Madrid have made Rodrygo available for a transfer after Xabi Alonso refused to guarantee his future, but Arsenal and Liverpool have their sights set on alternative targets
Real Madrid are willing to reduce their £78million asking price for Rodrygo in the hope that Arsenal and Liverpool will reconsider their stances. Rodrygo, 24, has been heavily linked with a move away from Madrid this summer, having lost his place in the starting line-up towards the end of last season and struggling for game-time during the Club World Cup.
The Brazilian is now waiting on a final decision from new manager Xabi Alonso, as Bernabeu chiefs talk to potential suitors in the background. With Real ready to sell, Arsenal and Liverpool are the clubs who've shown the most interest to date.
Both Premier League giants have been looking to sign a new forward and Rodrygo's ability to play as either a right or left winger made him an attractive option. But things have changed.
Spanish outlet AS report that Liverpool are cooling their interest after welcoming Hugo Ekitike in a £79m deal and shifting their focus to striker Alexander Isak. Meanwhile, Arsenal's interest is described as 'freezing', as they prioritise a bid for Eberechi Eze.
Bayern Munich had enquired about Rodrygo but they're focussed on completing a £65.5m deal for Luis Diaz, who Ektike is replacing at Liverpool. The lack of concrete interest going into the final month of the summer transfer window has prompted Real to accept that £78m could be asking too much - and there's a new suitor at the table.
Tottenham have 'burst in' to the fray, promising the 24-year-old heavy investment thanks to an incoming investor from Qatar. Rodrygo would continue to play Champions League football if he joined Spurs but he'd be signing for a team who recently finished in 17th place, one spot above the Premier League relegation zone.
But the Brazil international could himself on the fringes if he doesn't leave Madrid. Rodrygo has lost his place on the right flank to new signing Franco Mastantuono, who's just 17 but has impressed Alonso.
Under Carlo Ancelotti during the final weeks of last season, Arda Guler began getting minutes instead of Rodrygo. In addition, it's been reported that 20-year-old Guler and Rodrygo are both disappointed with Real's as-yet-unconfirmed decision to hand Kylian Mbappe the No.10 shirt following the departure of Luka Modric.
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Rodrygo played just 27 minutes in Los Blancos' five-match run at the Club World Cup, Alonso's first period in charge. He was notably left on the bench as Real were hammered 4-0 by PSG in the quarter-finals.
"The fact that he didn't play again is a game-by-game decision," Alonso explained. "The way things were going, we needed another player.
"There haven't been any decisions about the future throughout this entire championship; we haven't rotated much. We'll start in a different context."