A surprising destination for Rodrygo worries Real Madrid… with priority given to a major English club!

In what could become one of the most shocking transfer twists of the summer, Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes appears to be eyeing a surprising destination away from the Santiago Bernabéu — and it’s making the Spanish giants very nervous.

The Brazilian star, known for his electric pace and big-match mentality, is reportedly favoring a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal emerging as his most preferred destination. This revelation has stirred intense speculation around Europe, with fans, pundits, and club insiders all trying to piece together what may be happening behind closed doors.

Sources from within Spain suggest that Rodrygo’s name has started to circulate with greater frequency during internal transfer discussions — a sign that the club may be bracing itself for a significant shift in their attacking lineup.

The concern from Real Madrid isn’t merely based on the potential loss of a player — but on who he’s favoring as his next destination. Arsenal, one of England’s most ambitious and well-structured clubs, could be gaining an elite attacker at the peak of his career — something that might upset the balance of power in European football.

While the club has made significant additions this summer — most notably the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, whose presence instantly reshapes Madrid’s attacking hierarchy — it’s the fallout that is becoming the story. Rodrygo, who was left out of the starting lineup during the Club World Cup final against Borussia Dortmund, seems to be questioning his place in the long-term plans of Xabi Alonso.

Despite Alonso’s repeated public praise for the Brazilian, it’s understood that privately the coaching staff has started prioritizing other options. The emergence of young talent Gonzalo Garcia, the spectacular rise of Arda Güler, and Mbappé’s return to full fitness have created intense competition — and Rodrygo appears to be the odd man out.

Rodrygo is reportedly aware of this internal reshuffling and, rather than wait for minutes from the bench, is seriously considering a fresh challenge. And in a move that would have seemed impossible just months ago, Arsenal has now become his number-one choice.

According to reports from Hand of Arsenal, the 24-year-old has already communicated to interested parties — including wealthy Saudi clubs — that his priority is to play in the Premier League, and more specifically under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s a bold decision. While Saudi Arabian sides were reportedly ready to offer astronomical wages, Rodrygo has made it clear that sporting ambition outweighs financial reward. He wants to be challenged. He wants to compete. And Arsenal offers him the chance to be part of a growing project in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

Real Madrid, for their part, are not keen on letting Rodrygo go without a fight. The forward still has three years remaining on his current contract, and club president Florentino Pérez is demanding no less than £70 million — nearly double what Madrid paid to sign him from Santos back in 2019.

Whether Arsenal are willing to meet that price remains to be seen. But with their Champions League ambitions growing and a need for attacking reinforcements clear, the Gunners may see this as the perfect opportunity to add proven experience to their youthful squad.

Rodrygo’s track record speaks volumes. Since joining Los Blancos, he has featured in 270 matches, racking up 68 goals and 51 assists. During the 2024–25 campaign alone, he registered 14 goals and 11 assists across 54 appearances — often playing multiple roles across the front line.

His ability to operate on either wing or as a secondary striker gives any manager tactical flexibility, and Arteta is believed to be a big admirer of that versatility.

At Madrid, however, the sentiment is bittersweet. Rodrygo was seen as one of the key pieces in the club’s post-Ronaldo rebuild. Alongside compatriots Vinícius Jr. and Éder Militão, he helped usher in a new generation. Now, with his potential exit looming, the mood has shifted from excitement to uncertainty.

Fans are divided. Some believe Rodrygo should fight for his place and prove his worth amid the fierce competition. Others understand that a player of his quality should not be reduced to a rotational role — especially in a season where expectations are sky-high across all competitions.

For Arsenal, the idea of adding a player of Rodrygo’s caliber feels almost like a dream. It would represent a statement of intent — not just to the Premier League but to all of Europe. The Gunners are no longer just a “project”; they are becoming a serious contender.

As negotiations quietly take place in the background, one thing is certain: if Rodrygo completes this move, it could send shockwaves across the footballing world. Not only would Madrid lose one of their most consistent forwards, but Arsenal would gain a gem — one capable of turning matches on his own.

And perhaps most intriguingly of all, this move — if completed — would symbolize a deeper trend in European football: that even Real Madrid, for all their glamour and trophies, are not immune to the shifting desires of young stars who crave regular football, clarity of role, and a place where they can be the main man.

For now, Madrid watches and waits. Arsenal plans and hopes. And Rodrygo? He may be preparing for a new chapter that no one saw coming — but one that could redefine both clubs’ futur