Real Madrid Slashes Rodrygo's Price Tag as Four Elite Clubs Circle for Transfer Battle
Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to reduce their initial valuation for Rodrygo as the Spanish powerhouse plans a significant summer clearout.
Xabi Alonso has received substantial financial support during his opening months at Real Madrid. Only the Premier League triumvirate of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal can surpass Madrid's €167.5 million ($196.8 million) expenditure. Revenue generation has proven more challenging.
Luka Modrić, Lucas Vázquez and Jesús Vallejo have all seen their salaries eliminated from the wage structure, yet Álvaro Rodríguez's €2 million ($2.4 million) transfer to Elche represents the sole transfer income Madrid have managed to secure.
To preserve their meticulously balanced financial standing, Madrid are anticipated to launch "operation departures" in August, beginning with Rodrygo's exit, according to AS.
The dubbed "summer saga" is projected to continue for some time yet. Attention from multiple Premier League sides has been documented throughout the transfer window. Nevertheless, the pathway to Arsenal is believed to have been virtually sealed while Liverpool's interest is reportedly "diminishing". Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for Luis Díaz which creates an opportunity for Tottenham Hotspur.
In their efforts to make Rodrygo appealing to all potential buyers, Madrid are allegedly prepared to entertain an offer beneath their former valuation of €90 million (£78.6 million, $105.7 million). The extent of their flexibility remains uncertain.
Rodrygo, meanwhile, reportedly isn't contemplating an exit until Alonso directly instructs him to seek alternative employment. Evidently, the notable shortage of playing time granted to him by the new Spanish manager during the Club World Cup wasn't a sufficiently clear indication.
Apart from the Brazilian outcast, Madrid are believed to be evaluating exits for David Alaba, Endrick, Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos.
Alaba and Endrick are reportedly determined to remain. The Austrian defender has allegedly been presented with the opportunity to receive a portion of his outstanding wages to facilitate an early contract termination. This proposal was firmly declined.
The rise of Gonzalo García this summer has pushed Endrick further down the hierarchy although a recent hamstring injury has significantly diminished the pool of interested clubs this summer. A January loan arrangement could be possible for the young Brazilian.
Similar to Endrick, Ferland Mendy finds himself marginalized and sidelined through injury. Dani Ceballos has shown greater willingness to embrace a departure this summer, though precisely how Real Betis would finance a reunion with their former talent remains unclear.