Brazilian winger could leave as Vinicius Jr.’s contract standoff complicates Real’s plans
Rodrygo’s time at Real Madrid could be coming to an end, with Arsenal maintaining their interest in the Brazilian forward despite their recent acquisition of Noni Madueke from Chelsea.
Before Madueke’s arrival, Rodrygo was a top target for Mikel Arteta’s side, especially after Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso limited his playing time during the Club World Cup—where he featured for just 92 minutes across six matches.
While a move for the 25-year-old would be costly, his preference for the left wing could complement Bukayo Saka’s dominance on the right. However, Rodrygo has also spent much of his Madrid career adapting to the right flank due to Vinicius Jr.’s presence.
Now, his future hangs in the balance as Real Madrid faces a major contract dilemma with Vinicius. According to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, the club is willing to sell the Brazilian superstar if he refuses to lower his salary demands—reportedly seeking a staggering £17.4 million (€20m) per year after tax, putting him in the same bracket as Kylian Mbappé.
With Real Madrid set to begin a mini pre-season ahead of the 2025/26 La Liga campaign, Rodrygo’s situation may be resolved in the coming week. Meanwhile, the winger appears to be keeping sharp during the break, recently posting Instagram stories celebrating a tournament victory with the caption “Mais um ano” (“one more year”). In the photos, he’s seen wearing the No. 10 shirt—a number currently available at Arsenal following Viktor Gyökeres’ takeover of the iconic No. 14.
However, a move to North London remains uncertain. Real Madrid’s £78 million (€90m) asking price is steep for the Gunners, who may need to offload a high-profile player to fund such a deal. With Eberechi Eze also on their radar, Rodrygo’s potential switch to the Emirates appears increasingly unlikely—unless Madrid’s stance softens in the coming weeks.
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