Real Madrid sealed their first victory under Xabi Alonso on Sunday evening and beat Pachuca 3-1 even though he was a large part of the game to 10 men. While Thibaut Courtois was working on Madrid's goal, the first green shoots of the new Alonso regime could be seen, with a lot of movement and quickly interplay.
What, or rather who was not to be seen, was Rodrygo. After they started their first match against Al-Hilal, the Brazilian brought out the entire game for Los Blancos. Rodrygo took an assist for the only goal of Real Madrid in their first match, and although Alonso's thinking was undoubtedly conditioned by Raul Asencios that was sent, it was surprising that Rodrygo did not even warm up. Just as happened during El Clasico, Alonso Victor Munoz sent for the Brazilian international.
In the meantime, there has been a consistent series of reports that Arsenal remains interested in Rodrygo. One of their goals was Nico Williams, who seems to be to Barcelona, ​​and Rodrygo seems to be one of their alternatives, even if they have not yet decided to make a move.
Now that Franco Mastantuono is still coming to Real Madrid in August, Marca says that his future is very much an open debate. In the meantime, Cadena Ser says that Rodrygo is aware of the interest of Arsenal, but would also be interested in moving to Manchester City, where he has an admirer in Pep Guardiola. Los Blancos would set his asking price at € 90 million.
Rodrygo was not for the last month of the season under Carlo Ancelotti, reportedly due to fever, while no medical report was emitted by the club. Alonso said that he 'knows what happened to Rodrygo before the World Cup club, but now there also seem to be no fitness problems that stop him. Rodrygo was said to have been happy with the start of Alonso in Madrid, but will be less satisfied with missing Alonso's second game, and without Kylian Mbappe.
If Los Blancos can get a deal for Rodrygo, Cadena Ser also says that they will use the money to finance a movement for the controlling midfielder who wants Xabi Alonso. Real Madrid has identified it as a weakness in their team, but so far all the options they have identified have been outside their budget.