Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on Real Madrid’s Rodrygo as a key alternative if their bid for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers falls through.
Spurs are eager to bolster their attacking options following James Maddison’s ACL injury, which is expected to sideline him for much of the season. After Arsenal hijacked their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, Tottenham have turned their attention to Rogers, while also pushing to secure Manchester City’s Savinho.
Football Insider has reported that Tottenham are in preliminary talks to sign Rogers, but sources indicate Aston Villa are reluctant to sell the England international. Recent updates suggest Rogers has no intention of leaving Villa Park, with the player himself admitting in interviews that he is focused on his future there and appreciates the club’s ambitions under Unai Emery.
If the Rogers deal collapses, Tottenham have identified two backups: Como’s Nico Paz and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. However, a move for Paz appears increasingly unlikely due to complications from Real Madrid’s financial interests, including buy-back clauses starting at eight point six million euros this summer and a fifty percent sell-on fee.
Sky Sports reporters Lyall Thomas and Michael Bridge have said: “Real Madrid essentially have the final say on any Spurs offer and, even if it was agreed, would take half the fee due to Como.”
Italian sources claim Como want almost sixty-one million euros guaranteed plus add-ons, while Tottenham have been willing to offer upwards of fifty-six million euros guaranteed plus around eight point seven million euros in bonuses.
On Rodrygo, Football Insider has added: “Sources say that if Spurs are unable to sign the England international, they could accelerate moves for Nico Paz from Como or Rodrygo from Real Madrid.”
The Brazilian earned praise from Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso after a surprise start against Real Oviedo, where Alonso told reporters: “He had a good game. In the first half, on that side, he linked up well with Alvaro Carreras, Kylian Mbappe sometimes dropped, and so did Arda Guler. He had one-on-one situations and a few shots. Oviedo were quite deep and it was difficult to find the space, but I liked it. After last week, we needed everyone, and Rodrygo is one of them.”
Despite the commendation, The Athletic’s Guillermo Rai and Mario Cortegana have revealed that Rodrygo instructed his agents Pini Zahavi and Kia Joorabchian to explore a new destination this summer, even as his camp insisted he wanted to remain in Madrid.
The reporters wrote: “Such a move clearly suggests that the possibility of an exit has at least been strongly considered, but clubs that expressed interest were left with the impression that Rodrygo was not fully convinced about leaving the Spanish capital.”
Fresh developments indicate Rodrygo has now decided to stay at Real Madrid, determined to prove his worth under Alonso amid competition from new arrivals. Alonso has publicly backed him, stating in recent press conferences that Rodrygo and young talent Franco Mastantuono will play crucial roles this season.
This commitment could force Tottenham to pivot elsewhere, with ongoing interest in Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche and Savinho among other options to fill the number ten and winger roles.
As the deadline approaches, Spurs are pushing hard to add firepower and maintain their push for European spots.
