Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool have been placed on alert over the potential January availability of Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, though a significant shift in circumstances has dramatically cooled their interest.
A Summer Pursuit That Never Materialised
Both English clubs were heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian international during the summer transfer window. However, neither Arsenal nor Liverpool were prepared to meet Real Madrid's asking price of £77 million at the time, opting to channel their substantial funds elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal embarked on a significant recruitment drive, bringing in the likes of Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, and Ebere Eze. These arrivals have settled successfully at the Emirates, lessening the immediate need for another attacking addition.
Over at Anfield, Liverpool's spending spree was even more eye-watering. The Merseyside club invested approximately £300 million on a trio of new forwards: Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak, effectively filling the roles Rodrygo might have occupied.
The Alarming Statistic Deterring Suitors
The landscape has shifted decisively for Rodrygo himself since the summer. According to reports from The Athletic, Real Madrid are now willing to listen to offers for the 24-year-old as part of a January squad reshuffle, with Endrick, Dani Ceballos, and Fran Garcia also potentially departing.
The primary reason for diminished Premier League interest, however, is a stark and worrying decline in form. Rodrygo has now gone 30 consecutive club matches without scoring a goal, matching an unwanted Real Madrid record previously set by Mariano Diaz.
His barren run has extended into the current campaign under manager Xabi Alonso, who has frequently used him as a substitute. Rodrygo has managed just two assists this season, with his last club strike dating back to early March 2025 in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. It has been nearly a full year since he found the net in La Liga.
Clubs Looking Inward as Squad Depth Returns
For Arsenal, the urgency for a new attacker has faded. The Gunners boast the Premier League's second-most potent attack behind Manchester City, having scored 25 goals in 13 games. Furthermore, they are on the cusp of a major fitness boost.
Gabriel Jesus has recently returned to the bench after a ten-month injury layoff, and key attacker Kai Havertz is expected back from injury in a matter of weeks. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his eagerness for Havertz's return, stating: "He's a player that personally I love so much for what he brings to the team... I think it's going to be a massive boost for the team."
Despite his club struggles, Rodrygo has retained his place in the Brazil national team under former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. He started matches in the October and November international breaks, scoring a brace against South Korea in October for his only goals of the season across all competitions.
While the January transfer window could see movement, the confluence of Rodrygo's prolonged drought and the reinforced squads at the Emirates and Anfield means a blockbuster move to England now appears increasingly unlikely.
