Real Madrid could be forced to sell Rodrygo this summer, with the Brazilian unhappy about his role at the club and feeling "displaced" while Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham take centre stage
Real Madrid star Rodrygo could spark a transfer tug-of-war for his signature in the Premier League after expressing a desire to leave the club over perceived favouritism of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. Rodrygo is one of the world's best wingers and has played a crucial part in the club's incredible success since joining from Santos in 2019, winning the Champions League twice.
But the Brazilian refused to play for Carlo Ancelotti in the 4-3 El Clasico defeat to rivals Barcelona this weekend amid his unhappiness at the club and now wants to quit the Bernabeu this summer.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Rodrygo has been irked by the "media explosion" around Bellingham and Mbappe earning the plaudits this season and now feels "displaced".
It says Rodrygo is "confined to his home" and "angry" about his situation because he hoped he would become one of Madrid's leading men this season alongside Mbappe and Vinicius Jr - who is also enduring a difficult moment on the pitch.
The 24-year-old's future is up in the air and his relationship with his team-mates has now "deteriorated significantly", the report says, and even the arrival of Xabi Alonso might not fix the situation. Alonso has announced his departure from Bayer Leverkusen and is widely expected to replace Ancelotti, who in turn has been unveiled as the next manager of Brazil.
Rodrygo's future will depend on the direction Alonso chooses to take, it says, but adds that the Spaniard is likely to focus on Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius as his main attacking trio.
As a result, the club have not ruled out selling Rodrygo in the summer because they are "tired of the Brazilian striker's constant challenges". He has netted 68 times in 267 appearances, but this season only has six goals and five assists from 22 starts.
He has not played since starting the Copa Del Rey final against Barcelona, which Madrid lost 3-2, on April 26 and now "doesn't see himself playing for the team". Rodrygo already discussed leaving two weeks ago and now "the situation is even more tense".
There is also concern over Vinicius Jr, with the club "visibly upset" with his displays this season, despite scoring 21 times in all competitions. They believe his form has dropped since missing out on the Ballon d'Or and hope Alonso can help him recapture his best form.
A move to Liverpool could be on the cards after the Reds previously failed with a move before Rodrygo joined Madrid.
Liverpool had been in talks to sign the winger for a bargain of just £2.5m and he has previously admitted he came close to moving to Anfield before opting to stay with Santos.
He said: “We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good. The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career. I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football.
"Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club. And that’s what happened: I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool."