Rodrygo explained his decision to reject Liverpool – 'I didn't want to'

Arsenal transfer target Rodrygo has already rejected Liverpool once in the past.

Both the Gunners and the Reds are reportedly interested in signing the Real Madrid forward this summer. In the case of thePremier League champions, manager Arne Slot may look to bring in a left winger following Luis Diaz’s recent move to Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid's Rodrygo has been consistently linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months. That is due to the Brazilian's reported frustrations last season, when, despite making 50 appearances, his role in the team was diminished by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.

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Doubts about his future were intensified by Xabi Alonso taking over as manager this summer, with his limited participation in the Club World Cup suggesting he wasn't a priority for the Spanish manager.

The Guardian recently reported that Arsenal, along with rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, are monitoring the situation closely and are ready to act if tensions escalate further over the next few weeks.

And Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has provided a fresh update stating that City have now withdrawn from the race for Rodrygo due to Savinho staying put, giving Arsenal and Liverpool an additional boost if they hope to secure the 24-year-old.

It wouldn't be the first time Liverpool have attempted to land his signature. Back in 2017, a year before Rodrygo's switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, then-Reds manager Jurgen Klopp made a considerable effort to lure the winger to Anfield. According to the player's agent, Klopp even boarded a plane to meet the teenage sensation face-to-face.

But Rodrygo snubbed Liverpool to stay with his beloved Santos and try to establish himself in their senior squad, which he managed to achieve the following year. Reflecting on the failed transfer later, Rodrygo explained: "We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good.

"The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career. I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football. It had always been my dream to play in Europe.

"Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club. And that’s what happened: I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool."

Rodrygo's representative, Nick Arcuri, revealed to in 2020: "When Rodrygo went to sign his first professional contract with Santos, aged 16, a Liverpool director called me saying that Klopp already knew the player, had seen the material, had already come to see Rodrygo personally.

"He had gone on YouTube, searched 'talents from Brazil’. Rodrygo had appeared and he was very young. He (Klopp) came to Brazil, and liked him.

"They contacted me, the Liverpool director wanted him to be his first signing, Rodrygo. I went to England, sat in London, Liverpool have an office in London. I brought the proposal to Modesto [Roma Junior], then president of Santos. Modesto didn’t accept.

"It turned out that Santos didn’t want to sell Rodrygo and instead made the first professional contract. But it was Rodrygo’s first official proposal, he was 16 and it was Liverpool.”

The Reds would now face a substantial outlay to secure Rodrygo's services, given the Brazilian remains tied to Madrid until 2028. Competition from the likes of Arsenal could drive his valuation even higher, particularly with the Gunners' well-documented need for a world-class left winger – Rodrygo's favoured role.

While Real Madrid have recently seemed determined to keep Rodrygo, their pursuit of Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has reportedly led them to propose an extraordinary swap deal. The north London club are eager to strengthen their wide options, and Marca claim Los Blancos attempted to entice them with such a deal, having previously considered moves for Saliba either next summer or when his contract expires in 2027.

However, that offer was immediately rejected by the Gunners. It is understood that the defender remains happy in London and isn’t considering a move at the current time.

For now, Rodrygo – who was valued at £86m earlier in the summer – remains at Alonso’s disposal as the club's La Liga season is set to kick off against Osasuna on Tuesday evening.