Fan asks Rodrygo if he’s joining Arsenal as Real Madrid prepare for transfer

Real Madrid star Rodrygo was giving nothing away when asked by a fan if he will join Arsenal this summer.

The Brazil international’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu is in major doubt having been benched for five of their six matches at the Club World Cup in the United States.

The relationship between club and player soured towards the end of last season and while Xabi Alonso’s arrival in the Spanish capital initially appeared to ease tensions, a summer departure is being considered.

Real are prepared to sell the 24-year-old, valuing him at €80million (£67m) with AS reporting Rodrygo has ‘become more of a problem than a solution’ at the club.

Arsenal have been in contact with the winger’s representatives since May with Mikel Arteta a huge admirer.

It remains to be seen whether the Gunners are still interested in pursuing a deal with Noni Madueke set to arrive from Chelsea in a £52million deal.

Real Madrid crashed out of the Club World Cup this week after a 4-0 thrashing against Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey.

On Friday, Spanish outlet El Chiringuito shared a clip of Rodrygo taking in the sights in New York City, with a fan approaching him and asking: ‘Are you going to Arsenal?’ in English.

Rodrygo did not reply, instead moving on to pose with another fan for a selfie.

The Brazilian’s future will likely become clearer in the coming weeks but his persistent absence from the side in the US over the last month has fuelled speculation he will leave.

Alonso has previously described leaving the player out as a ‘technical decision’, repeating those comments after the 4-0 defeat to PSG.

But with remarks that only further fuelled speculation over Rodrygo’s exit, the Spaniard explained he thought his side would be ‘better off’ without the Brazilian in the team.

‘I didn’t play Rodrygo for a technical decision,’ Alonso said.

‘We thought we would be better off with other players. It’s not about his future’.