Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso says his Real Madrid side were higher off with ‘different players’ after benching Arsenal goal Rodrygo for a fifth game in a row.
The Brazil international’s future on the Spanish giants is looking increasingly bleak with the Gunners amongst the perimeters concerned about signing him this summer.
His prospects got here under real doubt towards the tip of the 2024-25 campaign however the arrival of Alonso on the Santiago Bernabeu appeared to repair the damage.
Rodrygo began Real’s first match of their Club World Cup campaign in america, providing the assist in a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal.
However the 24-year-old has managed just 27 minutes of game time within the five games since then, left on the bench as an unused substitute for the third time as PSG thrashed Real of their semi-final clash on Wednesday night.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal on a regular basis
Get up to search out news in your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Enroll to our newsletter after which select your team within the link we’ll send you so we will get football news tailored to you.
It brings Real’s campaign within the US to an end and can immediate raise further questions over Rodrygo’s future on the club.
Alonso has previously described leaving the player out as a ‘technical decision’, repeating those comments after tonight’s 4-0 defeat in Latest Jersey.
But with remarks that can only fuel speculation over Rodrygo’s exit, the Spaniard explained he thought his side can be ‘higher off’ without the Brazilian within the team.
‘I didn’t play Rodrygo for a technical decision,’ Alonso said.
‘We thought we can be higher off with other players. It’s not about his future’.
Reports claim there may be a growing expectation that Rodrygo could leave the club this summer with Real valuing him at €80million (£67m).
Thiago Silva sends message to Chelsea over Joao Pedro ahead of Club World Cup final
- Arsenal reply to Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres transfer demand
- Former Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti given one-year prison sentence
- Arsenal consider player swap in £68m Eberechi Eze transfer with Crystal Palace
Rodrygo’s representatives contacted a lot of Premier League sides in May to find out whether or not they can be concerned about pursuing a move.
While Mikel Arteta is a large admirer, Cadena Ser reported last week Arsenal have, temporarily at the least, halted contact with the player’s representatives.
The Gunners are currently in talks to sign one other winger in Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.
Personal terms with the England international have agreed with Arsenal now negotiating a fee with Chelsea, who want £55m for the for his or her man.
MORE: Man Utd receive recent transfer bid for Alejandro Garnacho with talks underway
MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold out of Real Madrid Club World Cup semi-final vs PSG with injury
MORE: Tottenham agree £55m transfer to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham