Manchester City entered the race to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, with Pep Guardiola said to be a big admirer of the Brazilian’s talents.
The 24-year-old, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool this summer, could be on the move after seeing his playing time reduced under new Madrid boss Xabi Alonso.
City’s interest comes as the Premier League champions prepare for possible changes in their squad. The imminent departures of Jack Grealish and James McAtee, along with the likelihood of Savinho leaving, could open space for a marquee attacking addition. Reports suggest City view Rodrygo as a “dream target,” with Real Madrid prepared to sell for around €100 million if the player chooses to leave.
Rodrygo’s record against Guardiola’s side speaks for itself. In just nine appearances against Manchester City, he has scored four goals and provided two assists. His dramatic late double in the 2022 Champions League semi-finals remains one of his defining career moments. Reflecting on that performance, Rodrygo said: “My status in football changed a lot after those two goals. People started looking at me with different eyes. The two goals were a step forward in my career.”
Ahead of a Champions League clash with City earlier this year, Rodrygo described that night as the highlight of his career. “It’s the most special night of my career and I hope it happens again,” he said. He also praised Guardiola, calling him a “great coach” and admitting that facing his sides is always a challenge.
“I don’t like playing against Manchester City so much. Nobody likes playing against City as much as playing against us. I was happy after many games against them…”
Guardiola has also spoken highly of the Brazilian. Before the European tie, he acknowledged the difficulty in defending against Madrid’s attacking stars, saying it was “impossible” to “control these four players” — a reference to Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and KylianMbappe.
Rodrygo has also been the subject of Liverpool interest. Since joining Madrid from Santos in 2019 for £39 million, he has won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he was a key figure in the attack, but his role has diminished since Alonso took charge ahead of the ongoing Club World Cup.
In the competition’s opening match against Al Hilal, he registered an assist in a 1-1 draw but was then limited to just 27 minutes in the remaining games. He did not feature in matches against Juventus, Pachuca, or the 4-0 semi-final defeat to PSG. Alonso has preferred Gonzalo Garcia in the forward line, while Brahim Diaz and ArdaGuler have also seen more minutes.
With the transfer window still open, Rodrygo’s future remains uncertain. His admiration for Guardiola’s football philosophy, coupled with City’s high regard for him, makes the potential move a story to watch closely in the coming weeks.
