Brazil’s very best forwards, the real cream of the crop, have never ventured into English football to ply their trade amid the upper echelons of the Premier League but Rodrygo could be ready to break the mould.
Neymar, the Samba Kings’ all-time leading international scorer with 79 goals, has played with distinction for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain and is now back with Santos having avoided moves to Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal or any of the other big-hitters in this country.
The same can be said of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Rivellino, Ronaldinho, Romario or the legendary Pele who never came to these shores.
Roberto Firmino was superb at Liverpool before heading to Saudi, Gabriel Jesus has been more than decent at Manchester City and Arsenal while Richarlison has played well for Everton and Tottenham when he has been fit. Robinho? Not so much.
And Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton are adored at Newcastle United, who were among the first English clubs to sign South American players when they took Mirandinha to Tyneside, while Raphinha has shone at Barcelona since joining them from Leeds United.
Few of them hold a candle to the CV compiled by Rodrygo at Real Madrid but it appears he is not part of the plans laid out by new Bernabeu boss Xabi Alonso and is heading for the exit.
A price tag of around £80million looked a bit rich for potential Premier League purchasers but reports from media in the Spanish capital suggest the 24-year-old may be allowed to leave for a cut-price £50m, which has alerted the Reds and Gunners, among others, to his sudden availability.
Liverpool have yet to get their blockbuster bid for Magpies marksman Alexander Isak over the line and, even if they do, they are likely to be in the market for another forward with the lower asking price making Rodrygo attractive at 11/4 with William Hill to join the Premier League champions.
Mikel Arteta seems to have his focus set on Eberechi Eze at Crystal Palace if he is going to bring in another attacker so the 8/1 Rodrygo goes to Arsenal with BetMGM and Unibet doesn’t appeal and neither does 7/1 with bet365 that he joins Tottenham. The transfer fee won’t put off Spurs if the player wants to move to N17, but wage demands believed to be nearly £300,000-a-week almost certainly will.
Manchester City are more likely suitors at 20/1 with Hills as are PSG at 28/1 with bet365.
Glorious Goodwood bets
There’s a High Degree of probability trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand will enjoy success in the Kincsem Handicap, which opens Ladies’ Day at Glorious Goodwood, after two second places followed by a victory last time out at Ffos Las.
High Degree is 9/1 with bet365 while Havana Hurricane appeals in the Richmond Stakes at 4/1 with the same firm, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and many others.
Windlord looks good in the Gordon Stakes and the Andrew Balding runner is 8/1 with Coral and Bet Victor with Oisin Murphy in the saddle while the wonderful Cercene, a 33/1 winner for us when claiming the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, is 8/1 with Paddy Power, Sky Bet and Betfair for the Nassau.
The gloves will be off in the Buccellati Handicap and course and distance winner Getreadytorumble can deliver a knockout blow to the opposition at 7/1 with several firms including Hills, Betfred and bet365.
Tennis odds: Canadian Open
Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti can make progress at the Canadian Open in Toronto by beating Alex Michelsen in straight sets at 6/4 with bet365 while Marta Kostyuk is 10/3 with Ladbrokes and Coral to defeat Daria Kasatkina in a deciding set in the tournament’s women’s singles in Montreal.
