Pep Guardiola sought out Rodrygo at the final whistle on Wednesday night and told the Real Madrid forward he's a player at the very top level, a conversation the Manchester City boss then confirmed to Spanish television after his side's 2-1 victory at the Bernabéu. The public nature of Guardiola's praise has intensified speculation that City will make a January move for the Brazilian, who has barely featured for Madrid this season despite his obvious quality.
Rodrygo scored Madrid's goal, but has started just three La Liga matches all campaign and has accumulated a paltry 81 minutes of league football. The asking price was £100 million last summer but nobody came forward with an offer, and reports from Spain indicate Madrid would now take £80 million, a reduction that shows just how dramatically his stock has fallen under Alonso. He's got four years left on his deal, but contracts don't matter much when the manager doesn't pick you, and you spend most Saturdays on the bench.
City Needs Reinforcements Up Front
Grealish joined Everton on a season-long loan in August, and De Bruyne completed his switch to Napoli, departures that stripped quality from the attacking third. Savinho and McAtee could both be on their way out as well, and Guardiola wants proper talent to fill those spots, the type of players who slot straight into different roles without needing half a season to adjust.
Managers tend to keep their interest in other clubs' players quiet, but Guardiola went public with his admiration and then confirmed it to television cameras. That kind of openness doesn't happen by accident, and it points to genuine intent rather than casual flattery after a match.
Transfer Markets React
UK betting sites have built out their transfer coverage to rival the actual football, and the big names now compete hard on enhanced odds for January signings. Punters get accumulator insurance when they back several bets at once, cashback offers soften the blow when moves collapse, and fast payouts through PayPal or e-wallets mean winnings land in under 24 hours. The platforms push bet builders and live streaming too, which keeps people engaged beyond just the transfer window itself.
Sources close to the Brazilian have opened quiet conversationsabout how a deal might take shape, though nothing's been put down on paper yet. He'd bring speed, skill and big-game experience to a squad that's changed shape this year and needs players who contribute straight away.
Alonso Faces the Sack
Madrid lost at the Bernabéu twice in four days, a collapse that has put massive pressure on Alonso. His team has won just two of their last eight matches, and supporters have started questioning his future, given how the season has deteriorated.
His problems work in City's favour because Rodrygo needs minutes and Madrid look ready to cash in at a lower figure than they wanted months ago. Selling to a Champions League rival isn't ideal for them, but players lose value when they don't play, and Guardiola's approach suggests he wants this sorted once the window opens next month.