Rodrygo: Why a big Premier League move is on the cards

Sam McGuire

• Updated: 26 Mar 2024 17:43 GMT
• 5 min read

Real Madrid are ruthless in the transfer market.

They will aggressively pursue targets, using every tactic possible to make a transfer happen. As soon as they land the player they want, their attention turns to the next flavour of the month. Rinse and repeat until they end up having to essentially force players out of the club to make room for new faces.

There is no sentiment involved. Emotions are removed from the decision-making process. It is strictly business with Florentino Perez.

READ MORE: Latest Real Madrid transfer news

It happened with Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Mesut Ozil. They tried it with Gareth Bale but he dug his heels in. They happily parted ways with club legends Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro and Sergio Ramos.

In truth, their desire to remain successful is unmatched.

And that is why this summer, Rodrygo could be shown the exit door at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 23-year-old is highly-rated and he’s a player Real Madrid have shown a lot of faith in having signed him from Santos in 2019. He had to bide his time but he eventually claimed a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI. His performances were reportedly one of the main reasons Marco Asensio left the club to join Paris Saint-Germain. In fact, Rodrygo actually claimed the No11 jersey at Madrid following Asensio’s departure to really hammer home the fact he was one of the key players for this new-look Los Blancos side.

READ MORE: Latest Real Madrid transfer rumours

He put pen to paper on a new, long-term deal in November, tying himself to Real Madrid until 2028. It was a reward for his fine form. Yet just four months later, there’s talk he could be sacrificed this summer.

Granted, reports in Spain claim the Brazil international is protected by Ancelotti with the Italian tactician considering him to be an indispensable player and a key part of his plans. However, this might not be the manager’s decision.

Real Madrid have already added wonderkid Endrick to their ranks while the belief is that Kylian Mbappe will finally make his long-awaited move to the Spanish capital this summer. To fit the new faces in, Ancelotti is going to have to juggle a few things around and though Rodrygo is probably the only natural right-winger, he could well be the one to miss out as Madrid look to field a front three of Mbappe, Endrick and Vinicius Junior with Jude Bellingham supporting them from midfield.

With Rodrygo at the point of his career where he needs to be playing regularly, he might be open to a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu. He’s been in fantastic form for Los Blancos this term, chipping in with eight goals and five assists in LaLiga in a little over 2,000 minutes.

His form, as well as his situation with the Spanish top-flight leaders, has not gone unnoticed.

According to reports, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City are all keeping tabs on the €101.9 million-rated forward.

The Gunners are looking to reinforce their attack in a bid to ensure they remain at a high level. Outside of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta doesn’t have any real world-class options for the wide areas. Adding Rodrygo into the mix, a player who is adept on both flanks, transforms the attack and gives the Spanish tactician a number of ways to win matches. It was no doubt why they wanted to add Mykhalio Mudryk to their ranks. Leandro Trossard was brought in as a short-term solution but someone like Rodrygo could grow, develop and mature with this young Arsenal team. The potential is scary.

Liverpool have a firing attack but there are question marks over some players heading into the summer. Cody Gakpo looks homeless, Luis Diaz is inconsistent, Diogo Jota is injury prone and Mohamed Salah is heading into the final 12 months of his deal. Rodygo, tracked by the Reds before he moved to Madrid, could be viewed as the long-term heir to Salah and getting him in before the Egyptian departs gives him time to settle and adapt before eventually succeeding him on the Liverpool right. If Real Madrid don’t price him out of a move, the Merseyside club could well be in contention.

Manchester United are in dire need of offensive additions. Jadon Sancho doesn’t appear to have a future at Old Trafford under Erik Ten Hag while Antony has struggled to deliver following his move from Ajax. Marcus Rashford is inconsistent, perhaps due to the changes to his role every season. The bright sparks are Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund. Someone like Rodrygo would potentially transform the forward line for the Red Devils while giving Ten Hag genuine depth in a problem area. The Brazil international wouldn't be one of those vanity signings either - he has a point to prove and the ability to really deliver. The perfect storm for a player and for a club looking to usher in a new era under a different ownership group.

City don’t necessarily need to sign an attacker, they are blessed with options, but who knows what Pep Guardiola has planned. Under the former Barca boss, Rodrygo could scale his game to new heights. In truth, though they signed Jeremy Doku, they never really replaced Riyad Mahrez. Perhaps that is why Rodrygo is being eyed up. Regardless of why he’s liked, the fact City want him should worry rivals.

Rodrygo might not have a long-term role at Real Madrid but he could still have a successful career. He just needs to make the right move if he does depart.