Gonzalo Garcia steals the spotlight as Real Madrid navigate Kylian Mbappe's absence
The FIFA Club World Cup, hosted in the United States, has unveiled an unexpected star in Real Madrid's Gonzalo Garcia.
Sources close to the club, as reported by MARCA, have confirmed that no teams have approached Real Madrid to discuss a potential transfer for the 24-year-old, whose market value is estimated at around 80 million euros.
Rodrygo's situation at the Santiago Bernabeu remains uncertain. Real Madrid have maintained a clear transfer policy: they are open to considering offers for any player, provided the proposal aligns with market expectations.
However, no such offer has materialised for the former Santos star, who joined Real Madrid in 2018 for 45 million euros at the age of 18. Since then, his value has doubled, though his form has dipped noticeably in recent months.
"He's a Real Madrid player and needs to contribute," a club source said, reflecting the expectation that Rodrygo must regain his spark under manager Xabi Alonso. The club are hopeful he can return to his best or attract interest from suitors before the transfer window closes.
Rodrygo's struggles were evident during the recent FIFA Club World Cup. He started the tournament in the starting XI but saw his role diminish as the competition progressed. He failed to feature in matches against Pachuca and Juventus, and managed just over 20 minutes in the clash with Salzburg.
Real Madrid's tactical setup, often employing just two forwards, Vinicius Junior and Gonzalo Garcia, has limited his opportunities, with Kylian Mbappe's gradual return from injury further complicating his prospects.
Real Madrid are now adopting a wait-and-see approach. Their priority is for Rodrygo to rediscover his top form, either to secure his place in Alonso's plans or to spark interest from potential buyers. "This is just the beginning," a club insider said, suggesting there is still time for Rodrygo to turn things around or for a transfer to emerge.
Recent posts on X echo the uncertainty surrounding Rodrygo's future. Several users have noted Arsenal's rumoured interest, with one stating, "Rodrygo to Arsenal would be a statement signing, but Madrid won't let him go cheap." Others have highlighted his reduced role in the Club World Cup, with a fan commenting, "Rodrygo's barely playing, either he steps up or he's out."
These sentiments reflect the broader conversation among football fans, though no concrete developments have surfaced to confirm any imminent move.