Rodrygo update at Real Madrid

An editorial look at the Rodrygo transfer saga and how Real Madrid and Liverpool are engaging ahead of the window close

Rodrygo linked to Liverpool as Real Madrid update emerges

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso indicated Rodrygo remains in his plan for the season opener against Osasuna, saying he is counting on everyone in the squad. Despite ongoing links with a move to Liverpool, Rodrygo is included in the Real Madrid squad for the fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu. The winger has seen his role reduced since last season under Carlo Ancelotti and started only one of six matches at the Club World Cup this summer.

Liverpool have shown continued interest in attacking options as Ben Doak prepares for a Bournemouth exit and reports persist about a potential target in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. Real Madrid have a crowded forward line, adding new signing Franco Mastantuono to the squad while Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior have started the pre-season friendlies. Rodrygo has appeared as a substitute in those games, and Trent Alexander-Arnold could make his La Liga debut for Real this season after a summer move from Liverpool.

The Rodrygo saga underlines how the transfer market blends on‑field plans with market signaling. Real Madrid appear to keep Rodrygo as a rotation option rather than a fringe piece, a stance that could sustain his value even without a guaranteed starting role. For Liverpool, the chase of a Real Madrid winger fits a broader window strategy: pursue high‑upside upgrades while managing financial exposure in a crowded market.

The public posture matters as much as the potential fee. Alonso’s line about counting on everyone shows a desire to avoid signaling weakness or urgency, even as the clock ticks toward the late summer deadline. The coming weeks will test the balance between squad depth, wage costs, and how much a club is willing to pay for a player who may not slide straight into a starting XI. The story remains fluid, with a dozen moving parts still in play.

Highlights

The window still has weeks to run and the story remains unsettled.