Arsenal transfer target Rodrygo left in no man's land after another Xabi Alonso snub

Xabi Alonso felt that Real Madrid were better off with 'different players' after Rodrygo was once again an unused substitute in Los Blancos' heavy Club World Cup semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazil star, 24, has emerged as a serious transfer target for Arsenalin recent weeks. And his future at the Bernabeu is unclear after he ended the 2024-25 campaign out of favour under the club's previous head coach, Carlo Ancelotti.

Rodrygo started Real's first game under Alonso at the Club World Cup and even grabbed an assist in their 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal.

But he has beenbenched for the next five games, coming on in just two under their new head coach.

When he was asked about Rodrygo's latest omission, Alonso said post-match: "I didn’t play Rodrygo for a technical decision.

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"We thought we would be better off with other players. It’s not about his future."

While Alonso insists the decision has no bearing on Rodrygo's future, it remains to be seen if the player feels the same. Recent reports have indicated that he and the club will discuss his future after the tournament, which is now over for Real Madrid.

And although Rodrygo is said to have previously expressed a desire to stay and fight for his place under Alonso, talk of a blockbuster €80million (£67m) summer transfer refuses to go away.

Join the debate! Should Arsenal go all out to sign Rodrygo? Let us know here

Arsenal has been touted as a potential destination for the former Santos man and it has already been established that the Gunners hold a serious interest in him.

The situation could be complicated, though, by interest in Noni Madueke, who has already agreed personal terms ahead of a potential transfer. Contact has now been made with Chelsea, too, over a deal which would see the winger join Arsenal.

Madueke is viewed as a player capable of covering a variety of roles in attack, including on the right-hand side where Bukayo Saka plays. But with Arsenal also pursuing deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze, it's unclear whether they could also finance a swoop for Rodrygo, who would not be let go on the cheap.

Madueke and Eze would both be options to play on the left-hand side of Arsenal's attack, too, so it remains to be seen if Arsenal will go all out for Rodrygo in the coming weeks.

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