Liverpool continue to be linked with transfer interest in Rodrygo and the winger has now reportedly been dealt another blow by Real Madrid as he hopes to break into Xabi Alonso’s plans. The 24-year-old, who opted not to join the Reds from boyhood club Santos as a teenager before sealing a move to Madrid, now finds himself caught up in the transfer rumour mill again.
Rodrygo’s lack of playing time in the Spanish capital is said to be a major reason as to why he could move on this summer, with Liverpool, alongside Premier League rivals such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, linked with signing him. With competition for places in Real’s starting line-up already fierce, Rodrygo looks likely to be pitted against the club’s next rising star for a place in the attacking department this coming season.
Spanish outlet Marca reports that instead of opting for a season-long loan, Los Blancos have decided Gonzalo Garcia, 21, is to be rewarded with a new contract and a place amongst Alonso’s 25-man senior squad. The striker was the breakout star of the recent FIFA Club World Cup, scoring four goals to earn the award for the tournament’s top goalscorer whilst also providing one assist.
His impact helped relegate Rodrygo to a place on the bench after his only start at the Club World Cup came in the opening group stage match. The Brazilian ended with only two more substitute appearances to his name in the United States.
Academy graduate Gonzalo is also tipped to take the No.9 shirt at the Santiago Bernabeu, reinforcing just how highly-rated his talents are working under Alonso.
At the end of the 2024/25 campaign Rodrygo was already competing with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham for places in the team of previous boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Gonzalo’s emergence plus the €45m (£39.2m) arrival of Argentine prospect Franco Mastanuono, another winger, are only going to make the task even more difficult to stamp down a spot in Alonso’s starting XI.
For now, Rodrygo has returned to the Spanish capital this week to pick up where he left off with pre-season training.
His side play one pre-season friendly before the La Liga campaign begins on August 19, after which point there is less than two weeks until the summer window closes and for the winger to make any transfer decisions with greater clarity over his role in Real’s squad.
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