Arsenal Battles Two Rivals in Fierce Race to Sign Real Madrid's Rodrygo
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly entered the race alongside Arsenal to secure Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, according to sources from Brazil.
Questions surrounding Rodrygo's future have cast a shadow over Real Madrid during their Club World Cup campaign. Following a disappointing and injury-plagued conclusion to his tenure under Carlo Ancelotti, the arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach in June provided the Brazilian attacker with optimism for a new beginning.
The adaptable winger began Madrid's opening Club World Cup match positioned on the right flank of the attacking trio, delivering a precise cross that set up Gonzalo García's first goal. However, he found himself relegated to the substitutes' bench in the subsequent fixture against Pachuca, received minimal playing time in Madrid's final group stage encounter, and has accumulated merely four minutes during the knockout rounds.
Alonso has provided limited justification for Rodrygo's exclusion, simply stating it represents a "technical" choice, which has intensified speculation already linking him heavily with Arsenal. According to ESPN Brazil's Gustavo Hofman, Manchester City have maintained "long-term" interest in the player, while PSG's pursuit represents a recent development.
Hofman suggests that Rodrygo's preference would be to remain at Madrid. This is, after all, a player whose 10th birthday celebration was themed entirely around 'Rodrygo Real Madrid'. However, that devotion may no longer be reciprocated by the club.
Reports from earlier this month indicated that Alonso and Real Madrid were prepared to consider offers for the 24-year-old.
As previously documented, Rodrygo seems increasingly determined to establish himself as a left-sided winger at Real Madrid. This position presents significant competition, with fellow Brazilian Vinicius Junior preferring that role, while Kylian Mbappé frequently moves to that side during matches.
Even securing his less favored right-wing position might prove challenging under Alonso's system. The adaptable former Bayer Leverkusen manager continues to refine his preferred formation, but has essentially operated without a traditional right winger in both of Madrid's knockout fixtures so far. New signing Trent Alexander-Arnold has been granted license to control that entire side of the field, with the tireless Federico Valverde responsible for providing cover during defensive transitions.
Arsenal's left-wing position is usually occupied by another Brazilian, Gabriel Martinelli, though rumors suggest the Gunners might consider selling him to finance their summer transfer activities.
Manchester City boasts considerable depth in wide positions, while the competition for attacking spots at PSG is so intense that Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembélé has found it difficult to regain his place in the starting lineup following his recent injury recovery.