Will Rodrygo leave Real Madrid this summer? Brazilian striker linked with transfer after Mbappé arrival

When Real Madrid finally secured the free transfer signing of Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain, there was plenty of talk about how the France captain would fit into Carlo Ancelotti’s team, which already contained Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo in attack.

All four players started in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup victory over Atalanta, although that hasn’t stopped rumours linking Rodrygo with a move away from the LaLiga giants.

Earlier in the summer, the Brazilian attacker was touted as a potential signing for Premier League champions Manchester City, a move which didn’t transpire. But could it before the end of the transfer window?

Rodrygo’s camp denies Manchester City move

Apparently not, with the 23-year-old’s camp reportedly telling Spanish radio station Cadena SER he will be staying at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. “He doesn’t want to leave. He wants to win things with Real Madrid, he doesn’t want to go to any other club. Not Manchester City or anyone else”.

A fairly emphatic denial, although we have often seen doors that were publicly slammed shut suddenly fly open again when it comes to transfers. And former Madrid player and director of football Predrag Mijatovic believes big-name stars are certain to leave the club in the near future.

Mijatovic: “Big-name players certain to leave Real Madrid in 2025″

Also speaking to Cadena SER, the former attacker explained: “Knowing a little about how Real Madrid has been managed in the last few years, with really good player sales, I wouldn’t rule against something similar happening this summer. Although that doesn’t mean it will happen.

“It also depends on the players themselves. If a player doesn’t feel good, isn’t happy and internally asks to leave, Madrid had nothing against it. Even if it’s Vinicius, Bellingham and two or three more.”

While Mijatovic says it could go either way this summer, he is adamant some high-profile names will be on their way out of the club in 2025. “Next year, there will definitely be some big sales, several of them,” adding that it’s “very likely” a number of players will be playing their final season for Los Blancos in 2024/25.

Luka Modric, who will be approaching his 40th birthday next summer, may well retire, although it’s difficult to imagine Real Madrid being in a hurry to offload Vinícius, Bellingham or Mbappé, a year after he joined. With Endrick also coming through, could Rodrygo be one of the big names to make way in 12 months’ time?