Xabi Alonso confirms talk with £70m Arsenal target Rodrgyo and where his head is

Daily Mirror

11 hours ago

Arsenal are interested in a summer move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, and Bernabeu manager Xabi Alonso confirmed where the Brazilian's head is at amid his uncertain future
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso insisted Rodrygo's focus remains on the Spanish giants despite rumours linking him with a move to Arsenal. The 24-year-old's future at the Santiago Bernabeu was thrust into uncertainty last season after falling down the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti.
No longer a starter due to the attacking trio of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, the Brazilian looked likely to move on from Madrid after six years at the club, having signed in 2019 at just 18 years of age.
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It was the Gunners who emerged as the favourites to clinch his signature, given Mikel Arteta's aim to improve his attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 season.
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But it is understood the Premier League side will have to fork out in excess of £70million to land the winger, who is also said to be of interest to Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain.
Speculation over Rodygo's future has only heated up during the FIFA Club World Cup where he's played a bit-part role in Madrid's run to the quarter-finals. After playing 65 minutes in Madrid's opening game against Al-Hilal, he's had just 23 minutes of action and was an unused substitute against Pachuca and Juventus.
Despite his lack of minutes, Alonso revealed in his pre-match press conference that his winger remains focused on making a positive impact should he see the pitch in their last-eight tie against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
"I'm sure Rodrygo can return to his best form," the Spaniard said. "I spoke with him; he's positive, eager, and ready when needed." This wasn't the first time Alonso insisted that Rodygo is still considered an important member of his squad, a sentiment he stated after Madrid's 1-0 win over Juventus this past week.
"After the game I try to approach everyone I meet along the way," he said. "He had a few minutes [against Salzburg] that were important for him and he will be important. In these championships, sometimes those who start are just as important as those who come in.
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"They can have a decisive impact, so each player has to be prepared for whatever comes their way. Everyone is in a good disposition. Rodrygo is training well and I see him in good spirits. Then it's my decision who plays."
Following the end of the season, Arteta promised Arsenal fans that the summer break will prove to be an "exciting" one for fans who had to contend with a third straight second-place finish in the league.
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"It's going to be a very exciting summer," he previously said to Sky Sports. "First of all, reviewing what we have done. Finding ways to increase the level of the team. Finding big margins where we can still develop our game model and our players.
"Then putting those plans together, playing the pre-season. And then if we don't have enough from that, then it's about what do we need to recruit now to make the difference."
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