Rodrygo handed Arsenal transfer incentive with decision made as Xabi Alonso issues fresh verdict

Arsenal's chances of signing Rodrygo may have just increased with a Real Madrid decision set to be repeated on the international stage. The 24-year-old has struggled for minutes since the arrival of Xabi Alonso at Madrid, with that continuing into the 2025/26 campaign.

For their La Liga opener against Osasuna on Tuesday evening, Rodrygo was an unused substitute which has seen his minutes played under Alonso remain at 91 across seven matches with the Real head coach explaining his latest omission of Rodrygo.

"These are match decisions," he admitted during a press conference. "The way the match was going, we needed another profile. There have been no decisions for the future.

"What counts is this season and of course I'm counting on Rodrygo. It's just one game, we shouldn't read too far into the future. If he gets those minutes in three months' time, I'll be able to answer you with more certainty.

"Today, it was just the circumstances of the game and my decisions." Goncalo Garcia and Arda Guler were among those preferred to Rodrygo in that 1-0 win with Alonso's latest update confirming that he has spoken to the latter.

"For me, the season and my chapter is starting now. We just played one game.

"The Club World Cup was different. I have spoken to Rodrygo, just like all my players."

The comments from Alonso certainly suggest that he will have a part to play but Rodrygo may be concerned by how little he has played since the Spaniard joined with that now perhaps impacting decisions elsewhere.

According to TNT Sports Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti will not be calling Rodrygo up to his Brazil squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia in early September. The 66-year-old is a big fan of Rodrygo, but it looks as though his minutes at club level is playing a role.

A lack of significant game-time has come at, arguably, the worst possible time for the forward, with the World Cup set to take place in the United States in just under 12 months. To break back into Ancelotti's thoughts, Rodrygo may think he's better off departing the Spanish capital - if only on a temporary basis.

That's likely the only deal Arsenal can do with their summer spending set to hit closer to £300million following the swoop for Eberechi Eze. With his arrival bolstering Arteta's attacking options across the board, there could even be limited minutes for Rodrygo in north London.

However, considering the left-wing options, he could very feasibly become first-choice, too. Manchester City are also in the race for his signature, but Pep Guardiola's side making a move for him could depend on Savinho joining Tottenham.

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