Rodrygo finalising new agent to propel Real Madrid exit as Manchester City stance changes | OneFootball

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo is wanted by all of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool as the January transfer window progresses, as per a new report.

The 24-year-old attracted strong interest from the Etihad Stadium last summer as City drew up a shortlist of alternatives to Savinho, who was open to joining Tottenham following interest from north London.

Manchester City were against a sale for Savinho but identified Rodrygo as their preferred replacement for the former, who stayed put in the north-west beyond the closing of the recent summer window and went on to sign a new, long-term deal in October.

Regardless, Rodrygo is a player long appreciated by Pep Guardiola, who has seen the Brazilian winger score a series of crucial, match-defining goals against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League over the years.

Guardiola is believed to have privately indicated his desire of working with Rodrygo several times to the Manchester City hierarchy over the years, with the Catalan coach now into the final 18 months of his current deal.

Rodrygo faces an uncertain future at the Santiago Bernabeu and after deciding against the chance to move to the Premier League last summer, the attacker is understood to have been left unsatisfied by his prospects under Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti in 2025.

As reported by Sport and relayed by Sport Witness, Rodrygo has altered his stance over his Real Madrid future and is actively seeking a route towards the exit door in 2026 – although a January sale is highly unlikely for the forward.

It has been added that Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all interested in pulling off the coup of one of Brazil’s most-talented stars, with Guardiola in particular expected to keep a close eye on developments around Rodrygo’s future in the Spanish capital.

The report states that Rodrygo and his father have ‘learnt from their mistakes’ and have made their mind over their future at Real Madrid, with Manchester City potentially providing an attractive option for the want-away superstar.

Arsenal are understood to have made an informal approach for Rodrygo in late 2025 but nothing materialised. The Gunners and Manchester City are said to be the Brazilian’s likeliest destinations should he go on and part ways with Real Madrid.

Alonso has faced criticism over his side’s inconsistent displays in La Liga since his arrivial, with the likes of Vinicius Jr. publicly taking on the manager and his in-game decisions to substitute the 25-year-old on several occasions.

Jeremy Doku has shown excellent form on the left wing in recent months, having spent the last few weeks on the sidelines, and with club captain Bernardo Silva into the final year of his contract, Manchester City could do with attacking reinforcements when they enter the summer transfer market.