Manchester City have made their intentions clear once again in the transfer market and this time it is Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes who has become the centre of attention. Reports suggest that Pep Guardiola’s side are now firmly ahead of Liverpool in the battle for the Brazilian attacker, and the story of how the chase has developed is full of twists, drama and uncertainty. It is one of those sagas that shows just how quickly the football world can change and how fine the margins are between a player staying at one club and packing his bags for another.
Rodrygo’s future has been in the spotlight for months. He is only 24 years old, but already he has played in countless big matches, scored important goals, and lifted trophies with Real Madrid. For a long time it seemed like his place in Madrid’s starting eleven was secure. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Rodrygo was trusted and regularly played in big Champions League games, often alongside Vinícius Júnior in attack. But football does not stand still, and with the departure of Ancelotti and the arrival of Xabi Alonso as Madrid’s new manager, the atmosphere has changed dramatically.
Alonso has his own ideas, his own plans, and his own style of play. In that new vision, Rodrygo has not been given the same guarantee of minutes that he once enjoyed. Suddenly, a player who had been celebrated as one of the cornerstones of Madrid’s attack began to feel uncertain about his role. The whispers started to grow louder: was Rodrygo going to accept a rotational role, or was he going to demand a move? Those questions kept journalists, fans and agents busy all summer, and the answers are still not fully clear.
Rodrygo himself has never hidden the fact that he wants to play regularly. He believes his best years are ahead of him, and he does not want to waste them sitting on the bench or playing in matches that do not matter. That hunger is natural for a footballer who grew up dreaming of being one of the best. But at Real Madrid, competition is brutal. Every summer new stars arrive, and every season there is a battle for positions that leaves no space for comfort.
During the summer transfer window, Rodrygo’s agents explored the market. They listened to offers, they spoke to clubs, and one of the names that came up again and again was Liverpool. The Merseyside giants, now under Arne Slot after Jürgen Klopp’s emotional departure, were interested. Liverpool had admired Rodrygo for a long time. His pace, dribbling, and ability to score goals from different positions made him the kind of forward who could shine in the Premier League. But admiration is one thing and making a bid is another.
While Liverpool had Rodrygo on their list, their main focus was on Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. Slot wanted a number nine who could lead the line, someone who could replace Roberto Firmino’s profile and give the Reds a central striker to build around. Rodrygo, in comparison, was seen as more of a wide forward, and with Mohamed Salah still at Anfield and youngsters like Ben Doak and Lewis Koumas emerging, Liverpool were not prepared to spend huge money in that area. The Brazilian was admired, yes, but he was not a priority.
That hesitation from Liverpool opened the door for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is a long-time admirer of Rodrygo. He sees in him a player who could adapt to his system, a footballer who could play across the front three, press with intelligence, and combine with teammates in tight spaces. City had already considered signing him in the summer, but their plans shifted when Savinho’s proposed move to Tottenham collapsed. They decided to wait. Now, with Madrid reportedly valuing Rodrygo at around €80 million, Guardiola and his staff believe the time might be right to make a move.
The financial power of Manchester City cannot be ignored. When they identify a player they want, they usually get him. That is what makes this story so dramatic for Liverpool supporters. The Reds had the chance to go for Rodrygo earlier in the summer, but they chose not to. Now, if he does end up at the Etihad Stadium, fans will be left wondering what might have been.
For Real Madrid, the situation is delicate. Rodrygo is still an important player, but if he does not accept a smaller role, tension could rise. Selling him would bring in big money that could be reinvested elsewhere, but losing him might weaken their squad in the middle of a challenging season. That is why Madrid’s position is one of listening, waiting, and calculating. If the right offer arrives in January, especially from a club like City who can pay the full asking price, they will consider it.
Rodrygo’s story is not just about football, it is also about identity and ambition. At 24, he has already won everything at Madrid. He has Champions League medals, La Liga titles, and unforgettable moments like his brace against Manchester City in the semi-finals two years ago. But he wants more than to be remembered as a squad player who shone in bursts. He wants to be a guaranteed starter, a man his team cannot do without. That is why the idea of joining Guardiola’s City is so tempting.
At the Etihad, he would be surrounded by some of the world’s best players, playing in a team that dominates possession and creates countless chances. Guardiola’s tactical mind could take his game to another level, just as it has done for players like Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva. Rodrygo’s versatility would be priceless in that system. He could replace Mahrez’s role on the right, he could rotate with Grealish on the left, or even play through the middle behind Erling Haaland.
Liverpool fans, however, will feel frustrated. For years they have seen their rivals City swoop in and secure the signatures of players they once admired. From Riyad Mahrez to Kalvin Phillips and even the battles for Jude Bellingham, City’s pulling power and Guardiola’s presence often tilt things in their favour. The thought of Rodrygo in sky blue, dazzling defenders in the Premier League, will sting supporters who believe he could have been a star at Anfield.
The bigger question is what Liverpool do next. Salah is still the king of Anfield, but he is not getting any younger. At some point, Liverpool will need to plan for a future without him. Rodrygo could have been that answer, but if he joins City, the Reds will need to look elsewhere. Names like Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and others have been linked, but none are guaranteed. The missed chance with Rodrygo could become a symbol of hesitation in the transfer market
As for City, the move makes sense. They are always looking to refresh their squad, to stay ahead of their rivals, and to give Guardiola every weapon he needs. With Haaland scoring goals at record pace and Foden becoming more central to the team, adding Rodrygo would only make them more dangerous. The timing also suits them: January could be the perfect moment to strike, when Madrid are more open to selling and when Liverpool may be distracted by other targets.
For Rodrygo, the decision is huge. Staying at Madrid gives him the chance to fight for his place at the biggest club in the world. Leaving for City gives him the chance to be part of a team that is dominating English football and chasing Champions League glory year after year. Either path could define his career, but he cannot stand still. A player of his talent must be on the pitch, not on the bench.
The transfer battle between City and Liverpool over Rodrygo is more than just another rumour. It is a clash of philosophies, ambitions, and timing. Liverpool admired but hesitated. City admired and acted. Madrid are willing to listen. And Rodrygo, caught in the middle, must decide what he truly wants.
If Guardiola gets his way, City will add yet another jewel to their crown. If Liverpool somehow revive their interest, the saga could take another twist. What is certain is that Rodrygo’s future will continue to dominate headlines in the months ahead.
This story is one of football’s classics: a young star at a crossroads, two giants of the Premier League circling, and a Spanish powerhouse weighing up the value of holding on versus cashing in. The outcome will shape not just Rodrygo’s career, but also the balance of power between Liverpool and Manchester City.
And in the end, when the transfer window opens again, the decision will not just be about money. It will be about ambition, trust, and the hunger of a player who knows his time is now.
