Real Madrid have had to deal with a lot of transfers this season.
There have been arrivals, and there have been exits from both the first team and the academy.
However, there is one big potential exit that people have been talking about for the last two months, involving the future of a current superstar who may have to leave Real Madrid.
That superstar is, of course, Rodrygo, who has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Arsenal, PSG, and other top European clubs this summer.
A move away from Real Madrid may not be in Rodrygo's hands after all
The problem seems to be that even though these clubs might want to sign a player like Rodrygo, they may not be in a position to do so.
Rodrygo was linked to Arsenal at the start of the transfer window. Since then, Arsenal have signed players like Martín Zubimendi and Noni Madueke, and they may now deem Rodrygo to be too expensive.
They have also been targeting Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon instead of focusing solely on Rodrygo. That makes a move to Arsenal difficult for the Brazilian.
On the other hand, Liverpool - the other club reportedly interested in signing him - are also pursuing other targets. They are interested in signing Alexander Isak, a deal that could cost well over £130 million.
If Liverpool do sign him, there might still be money left for Rodrygo, but there is a huge chance there won’t be, and that would be problematic.
It could also be problematic for Real Madrid, because if they want to sell Rodrygo, this is the summer to do it. They don’t have the luxury of waiting another season, as his minutes might drop further next year, decreasing his market value.
He would also be one year deeper into his current contract, which would obviously have an effect as well.
From Rodrygo's perspective, if they do decide to sell Rodrygo, it would have to be to one of the two clubs that genuinely need him and his profile: Liverpool and Arsenal. The other options don't make enough sense, not for the player.
Arsenal need a left winger right now. Liverpool, meanwhile, have just sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, so they could also use a left winger, even though they have Cody Gakpo too.
The issue is that both of these clubs are already pursuing other players, and there may not be enough money or space left in their squads for a player like Rodrygo.
That is why he might end up staying at Madrid, even though it is not the ideal solution for either the club or the player.
If the player wants to leave, the club would need to find him a destination - they do not want a disgruntled presence in the squad.
And from the player’s side, if he feels he should move on, staying against his wishes is not ideal either.
While the market could always change for a player like Rodrygo, it remains to be seen what happens with a player who, in my opinion, should depart, because he is too good to be playing out of position.