Arsenal transfer target Rodrygo responds to speculation he wants to quit Real Madrid

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has provided a significant update amid speculation the Arsenal transfer target has played his last game for the club.

The 24-year-old was reported to have refused to play for the club again after he was taken off at half-time in Sunday’s defeat against Barcelona.

Rodrygo was also said to have fallen out with teammates Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, while he was spotted leaving training early on Tuesday ahead of Madrid’s crucial La Liga clash with Real Mallorca.

The Brazil international will not feature this evening in a game Real cannot afford to drop points in if they hope to prolong the race for La Liga.

Speaking ahead of the game, outgoing manager Carlo Ancelotti explained the winger’s absence, saying: ‘Rodrygo had a fever that hasn’t allowed him to perform at his best.

‘Today in training, he had a discomfort in his leg. I don’t know which one. And he wasn’t well; he didn’t recover well from the fever.

‘Afterwards, there was a lot of speculation about this. Everyone has a special affection for Rodrygo, especially me.’

In an attempt to further clear up the situation, Rodrygo posted an update on social media on Wednesday which read: ‘Thanks for all the messages and concerns. I’ll be back soon. Stop making things up.’

Arsenal, who are keen to rebuild their attack, have been linked with a move for the €100m star, while Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be keeping tabs on his situation.

Whoever is fortunate enough to sign him, if he does leave Real, will be getting a world-class player, according to former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

‘What it would cost you to get Rodrygo, and would he want to go to Arsenal, is two different things.

‘The need for a number nine is pressing.

‘[Bukayo] Saka will play on the right-hand side, Rodrygo can play on the left – if you have those two as a wide pairing, that’s one hell of a pairing to fit in behind a world-class number nine.’

According to Robinson, Arteta is not able to completely rely on either Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard, and finding an ‘upgrade’ on the left flank could certainly be an ‘option’.

‘With Martinelli and Trossard, neither of those two has hit the heights regularly, performance-wise, that you would expect from the likes of Saka,’ he added.

‘So to upgrade on that side, yes, that’s an option for Arsenal.

‘Raheem Sterling, his loan’s not going to be made permanent, that’s not going to happen. He’ll be looking for pastures new at the start of next season.’