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Real Madrid winger Rodrygo has admitted that he would only consider departing the club if he was no longer desired amid past links with Arsenal. The Brazilian was linked with a potential switch to the Emirates during the summer transfer window.
Despite reported interest, the current Premier League leaders did not make a concrete approach for his signature and he ultimately remained in the Spanish capital. Arsenal opted to instead strengthen their wide options late in the window by signing Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
Rodrygo, who has just under three years remaining on his contract with Real Madrid, has subsequently seen his playing time at Real Madrid restricted this campaign. The 24-year-old has managed only two starts across all competitions.
Nevertheless, he doesn't seem eager to depart the Santiago Bernabeu and has disclosed that he would only consider an exit if informed he was surplus to requirements at the club.
"Every summer, the same thing happens to me. Whether I'm going to leave or whether I have offers from this club or that," he told Spanish outlet AS.
"Every week, I was in a team if I paid attention to what was published. Of course, there are always offers; I'm not going to lie about that.
"But I always made it clear to the club that I want to continue succeeding here, even more than I already have. It's a lot to have won two Champions Leagues at my age, but now I want more European Cups in this shirt.
"I've always said: 'As long as Real Madrid wants me, I'll be here.' If one day Real Madrid says to me: 'Rodry, find a team,' I'll say 'OK.' But that hasn't happened. The club has always told me they count on me.
"And when I had a problem, they were there for me. People speculated because I kept quiet. But I knew what I was going to do this season with Real Madrid and that I'm going to be focused on giving my best. It hasn't bothered me. I was calm, and here I am... as always. This is my seventh season."
In addition, Rodrygo has confirmed that he held discussions with manager Xabi Alonso about his role in the team following the Club World Cup. He said: "When the manager arrived he called me in to talk and said: 'I know you like playing on the left, but I'm going to need you in other positions too.'".
"I told him, 'Okay, manager, I'm here to help the team.' Everyone knows I prefer playing on the left and that I'm much better on that wing, but I'm always available to the team to play on the right or as a number nine, and I told him so. The truth is, he's only putting me on the left, and I like the level of minutes I'm getting.
"I'm doing well, although, logically, I want to play more. I'm in a process of evolution, and I'm getting better and better, and I feel happy. I'm performing better and better."
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