Rodrygo Eyes Real Madrid Exit Amid Arsenal, City Interest

Key Points

• Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, aged 24, is wanted by Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool as the January transfer window progresses.
• Manchester City showed strong interest in Rodrygo last summer as an alternative to Savinho, who stayed at City and signed a new long-term deal in October.
• Pep Guardiola has long appreciated Rodrygo, who has scored crucial goals against City in the UEFA Champions League, and has privately expressed desire to work with him.
• Rodrygo faces an uncertain future at Real Madrid under boss Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti in 2025, leaving the player unsatisfied with his prospects.
• As reported by Sport and relayed by Sport Witness, Rodrygo has changed his stance and is actively seeking an exit in 2026, though a January sale is highly unlikely.
• Rodrygo and his father have “learnt from their mistakes” and decided on their future away from Real Madrid.
• Manchester City and Arsenal are the likeliest destinations; Arsenal made an informal approach in late 2025 but nothing materialised.
• Alonso faces criticism for Real Madrid’s inconsistent La Liga displays, with Vinicius Jr. publicly challenging the manager’s decisions to substitute him.
• Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku has impressed on the left wing recently after injury, but with Bernardo Silva in the final year of his contract, City needs attacking reinforcements.

Rodrygo, the 24-year-old Brazilian forward at Real Madrid, is reportedly finalising a deal with a new agent to facilitate his departure from the Santiago Bernabeu, amid renewed interest from Premier League giants Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool.

Interest in Rodrygo has intensified as the January transfer window nears, with Manchester City leading the chase after previously identifying him as a key target. The player’s dissatisfaction under new Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti in 2025, has prompted this shift. A January move remains unlikely, but a summer exit in 2026 appears on the cards.

As per a new report relayed across multiple outlets, Rodrygo turned down Premier League opportunities last summer but now seeks a way out. Manchester City’s stance has evolved, with Pep Guardiola’s long-standing admiration for the winger playing a pivotal role.

Who Is Showing Interest in Rodrygo?

Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool are all monitoring Rodrygo closely. The Etihad Stadium outfit drew up a shortlist of alternatives to their winger Savinho last summer, who was open to joining Tottenham but ultimately stayed put.

As detailed in the OneFootball report, Manchester City were against selling Savinho, who signed a new long-term deal in October after remaining in the north-west beyond the summer window. City identified Rodrygo as their preferred replacement.

Pep Guardiola has appreciated Rodrygo for years, with the Brazilian scoring a series of crucial, match-defining goals against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. Guardiola, now in the final 18 months of his contract, has privately indicated his desire to work with Rodrygo to the City hierarchy multiple times.

Arsenal made an informal approach for Rodrygo in late 2025, though nothing materialised, according to the aggregated reports. The Gunners remain in the mix alongside Liverpool.

As reported by journalists at Sport and relayed by Matthew Stead of Sport Witness in their article “Player most likely to join Manchester City or Arsenal: no going back on decision to leave, changing agents,” Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool are all interested in securing one of Brazil’s most talented stars. Guardiola is expected to keep a close eye on developments.

Why Is Rodrygo Considering a Real Madrid Exit?

Rodrygo faces an uncertain future at Real Madrid. After deciding against a Premier League move last summer, the attacker has been left unsatisfied by his prospects under Xabi Alonso.

Alonso has faced criticism over Real Madrid’s inconsistent displays in La Liga since his arrival in 2025. Vinicius Jr. has publicly taken on the manager and his in-game decisions, particularly regarding substitutions of the 25-year-old.

The OneFootball coverage highlights Rodrygo’s frustration, noting his altered stance on his Bernabeu future. He is actively seeking a route towards the exit door in 2026.

What Role Does Rodrygo’s New Agent Play?

Rodrygo is finalising a deal with a new agent to propel his Real Madrid exit. This move signals a firm commitment to leaving, as a January sale is deemed highly unlikely.

As reported by Sport and relayed by Sport Witness, Rodrygo and his father have “learnt from their mistakes” and made up their minds over their future at Real Madrid. They have decided there is “no going back” on the decision to leave, with the change in representation aimed at facilitating a move.

Manchester City potentially provides an attractive option for the want-away superstar, given Guardiola’s interest.

How Has Manchester City’s Stance on Rodrygo Changed?

Manchester City’s interest in Rodrygo dates back to last summer, when they viewed him as the ideal replacement for Savinho. Despite Savinho staying and extending his contract, City’s appreciation for Rodrygo persists.

Guardiola’s private endorsements to the hierarchy underscore this shift. With the Catalan coach’s contract winding down, reinforcing the attack aligns with long-term planning.

Jeremy Doku has shown excellent form on the left wing in recent months, having spent the last few weeks sidelined by injury. However, club captain Bernardo Silva is into the final year of his contract, creating a need for attacking reinforcements ahead of the summer market.

The Sport Witness relay emphasises City’s position as one of the likeliest destinations, alongside Arsenal.

What Is Real Madrid’s Current Situation Under Xabi Alonso?

Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid boss in 2025, but the team has struggled with inconsistency in La Liga. Criticism has mounted, exemplified by Vinicius Jr.’s public challenges to Alonso’s decisions.

Vinicius Jr., aged 25, has been substituted on several occasions, prompting outspoken reactions from the star winger. This internal tension contributes to Rodrygo’s dissatisfaction.

The OneFootball report ties Rodrygo’s uncertain future directly to these dynamics at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Could Rodrygo Move in January?

A January sale for Rodrygo is highly unlikely, despite the ongoing transfer window. All sources agree that any departure would likely occur in the summer of 2026.

Rodrygo’s camp is focusing on the new agent appointment to pave the way, learning from past errors in handling his career trajectory.

Which Clubs Are the Front-Runners for Rodrygo?

Manchester City and Arsenal emerge as the likeliest destinations should Rodrygo part ways with Real Madrid. Liverpool remains interested, but the report positions City and the Gunners ahead.

Guardiola’s personal interest gives Manchester City an edge, while Arsenal’s prior informal approach in late 2025 keeps them in contention.

As per Sport Witness, drawing from Sport, these clubs are poised to pull off the coup for Brazil’s talented star.

What Makes Rodrygo an Attractive Prospect?

Rodrygo’s track record includes pivotal performances against top sides like Manchester City in the Champions League. At 24, he represents a long-term investment for any suitor.

His versatility as a winger and ability to deliver in big moments align with the needs of Premier League heavyweights seeking attacking depth.

Manchester City’s requirements, with Doku’s form and Silva’s contract situation, make Rodrygo a strategic fit.

How Have Past Transfer Interests Played Out?

Last summer, Rodrygo attracted strong interest from Manchester City as an alternative to Savinho, who was linked with Tottenham. City blocked Savinho’s exit, leading to his new deal in October.

Rodrygo opted to stay at Real Madrid then, but circumstances have changed under Alonso.

Arsenal’s late 2025 approach highlights sustained Premier League appetite.

The aggregated reporting from OneFootball, Sport, and Sport Witness paints a picture of a player now resolute in his ambitions.

This developing story underscores the fluid nature of the transfer market, with Rodrygo’s next steps hinging on his new representation and Real Madrid’s stance. Premier League clubs will watch closely as 2026 unfolds.