Manchester United and Liverpool are locked in a four-way battle to sign the Real Madrid forward, who could be on the way out thanks to Kylian Mbappe, while Chelsea are hoping for second time luck with the Barcelona star and an Arsenal move being called off. All from Euro Paper Talk on Wednesday.
MBAPPE in, RODRYGO out?
Manchester United, Liverpool and two other Premier League sides are all sensing an opportunity to sign Real Madrid ace Rodrigo, according to reports.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are already one of the strongest in Europe, but next season they will have a lethal new cutting edge.
Although this has yet to be officially confirmed by Real Madrid or the player himself, there are overwhelming expectations that Mbappe will leave PSG this summer and sign for Los Blancos as a free agent. The BBC is one of many who claim an agreement has already been reached.
In addition to Mbappe, Brazil’s wonderkid Endrick is also set to arrive in the Spanish capital. Despite being just 17 years old, Endrick will not be loaned out and Madrid see him ready to make an immediate impact.
Ancelotti will therefore have an embarrassing wealth in the final third with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo also at his disposal.
However, according to Spanish media outlet Sport, rodrigo Could be the odd one out and a blockbuster move to the Premier League is touted.
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge the state of the sport that the 23-year-old sees a long-term future at Madrid and has no intention of leaving, despite knowing full well that he could spend more time on the bench than he would like.
However, sports teams Manchester United and Liverpool, along with Manchester City and Arsenal, are ‘closely monitoring’ the Brazilian winger’s situation.
It is suggested that if they get the slightest hint that Rodrigo is warming to the idea of leaving, the British side will not hesitate to back their interest with a big-money bid.
An offer of at least €100m is required.
Sport said the bid for Rodrigo would have to start at €100m for Real Madrid to consider cashing in.
Rodrygo is tied to the Bernabeu until 2028, so there is no pressure on the club to sell him at a discount.
Rodrigo is right-footed, which is unconventional in modern football, but he mainly plays on the right flank.
So he would look like a logical transfer target for United, given that the Red Devils will listen to offers for Anthony, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho this summer.
In the case of Liverpool, Rodrygo can be seen as Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor.
Arsenal have already locked Bukayo Saka in the right winger position. Manchester City are yet to sign a suitable replacement for Riyad Mahrez, claims have been made. Jack Grealish could be sold this summer to raise funds for a new wide man..
Piggybacking on Sport’s report, Football Espana revealed that one possible scenario would be Rodrygo deciding to remain at Real Madrid for the 2024/25 campaign before making a decision on his future in 2025.
This series of events will give Rodrigo a full season to discover first-hand just how far down the pecking order he has fallen since the arrival of Mbappe and Endrrick.
Rodrigo has scored 51 goals (32 goals, 19 assists) for Real Madrid since the start of last season.
Read more: Top 10 most expensive transfers in Brazil: Arsenal star, West Ham ace and Real Madrid trio make the cut
Chelsea, Barcelona deal restarts
Chelsea failed in their attempt to sign young Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi before signing a contract extension. However, with his contract containing a very modest release clause of €10m, the Blues are expected to reignite their interest this summer. Barca will attempt to rebuff the interest by signing Cubarsi to another new contract with significantly higher clauses. (Mundo Deportivo)
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Caro Xabi Alonso has poured cold water on strong claims that he will replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.. “Xabi Alonso has a contract until 2026 and there is no doubt that he will stay here,” Caro said. (Fernando Caro)
Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski has been named Sweden’s next captain, with the change likely to remove the armband from Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof. (Aftonbladet)
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG are all circling PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko. The 20-year-old left-footed player is expected to cost between €50 and €60 million. (Sky Germany and L’Equipe)
Bayern Munich will not attempt to recruit Jurgen Klopp as their next manager this summer. Bayern boss Max Eberl will respect Klopp’s wish to take a sabbatical and will not make the call. (Max Eberle)
One Arsenal deal reached, another failed
Takehiro Tomiyasu has signed a new contract with Arsenal until 2026 (with an option for 2026/27). Transactions are made according to the given time. Ajax defender Jorrel Hato’s summer raid is OFF. (Arsenal and Fabrizio Romano)
Thibaut Courtois’ season ended with his second knee surgery of the season. Courtois has just returned from ACL surgery, but is now undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. (Real Madrid)
The most likely outcome is that Bayern Munich will not offer a contract extension to veteran striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who is set to leave the club as a free agent this summer. A move to Saudi Arabia or Qatar is the next option. (Sky Germany)
Timo Werner wants to sign permanently with Tottenham. Tottenham could make the loan deal permanent with a £15m option this summer. (Florian Plettenberg)
Barcelona made Everton’s Amadou Onana their top target last summer as they look to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets. Andreas Christensen has replaced the engine room this season, but Onana is seen as a long-term plan. (Soccer Spain)
Former Liverpool star’s transfer regrets
Former Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum admitted he wanted to return to the Netherlands and sign for Feyenoord when he left PSG last summer. However, there was no financially viable move for Feyenoord, so Wijnaldum signed for Saudi side Al-Ettifaq instead. (Georginio Wijnaldum in an interview with ESPN)
Atalanta are genuinely interested in signing Birmingham City midfielder Jordan James. Birmingham have so far offered around €10 million but Atalanta are hoping to lower their demands. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
Manchester United and Arsenal are the ‘biggest threats’ between the signing of AC Milan and Bologna striker Joshua Zirczy. The 22-year-old Dutchman has scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 30 games across all competitions this season. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
MLS side LAFC are in ‘ongoing talks’ with France’s all-time leading scorer Olivier Giroud.. The 37-year-old’s contract at AC Milan expires at the end of the season. (Athletic)
The upcoming Paris Olympics are causing concern for clubs with high-profile French players. Pre-season and the start of next season will be significantly disrupted for all players participating. France are hoping to include William Saliba (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) and Kylian Mbappe (potentially Real Madrid) in their squad, but clubs are opposed. (various)
