'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea are reportedly ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes. The Brazilian attacker has been linked away amidst a lack of regular playing time.
Rodrygo has garnered just 359 minutes across 13 appearances in all competitions this season, starting just three games. He also accumulated just 93 minutes in three appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup under Xabi Alonso. As per Fichajes.net, the Brazilian is looking to leave next summer, with Chelsea being the frontrunners.
The Blues are looking to strengthen their squad as they look to challenge for major trophies. They will, however, face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool. The Gunners have been linked with multiple left wingers in recent windows, including Rodrygo. The Reds, meanwhile, have struggled this season despite spending over £400 million.
Trending
As per Fichajes.net, Real Madrid will demand around €80 million for the Brazilian attacker next summer. They signed him from Santos for a reported fee of €45 million in 2019. He has since made 283 appearances for them, scoring 68 goals and providing 53 assists.
The 24-year-old attacker was also linked with an exit from Real Madrid this summer, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool all interested. However, he decided to stay with the Spanish giants instead.
Rodrygo on his conversation with Xabi Alonso amidst Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool links
Rodrygo was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer, amidst a lack of playing time. However, he chose to stay at Real Madrid despite interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool. In a recent interview with AS, the Brazil international spoke about his conversation with Xabi Alonso.
"When Xabi 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, mister, I'm here to help the team.' Everyone knows I prefer to play 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 all the time, and I feel happy. I'm performing better all the time," he added.
Rodrygo's contract with Real Madrid expires in 2028.
