Arsenal are looking to add a superstar to their attack this summer, with a world-class winger on Andrea Berta’s agenda.
The Gunners want to upgrade on the likes of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, both of whom produced underwhelming seasons in 2024/25.
Rodrygo is Mikel Arteta’s top target and Berta is reportedly planning to make a move for the Brazilian if he pushes for an exit from Real Madrid.
However, he may ultimately opt to remain at the Bernabeu, meaning the North Londoners will have to look elsewhere for their marquee addition.
Arsenal handed Rafael Leao transfer boost
Arsenal Insider revealed back in April that Arsenal are interested in Rafael Leao, who Berta viewed as an alternative to Nico Williams at the time.
The Portuguese may now be viewed as the Rodrygo alternative, although there have been some question marks about the prospective fee that would be required to prise him away from the San Siro, with it being mooted that AC Milan want £150 million for their prized asset.
However, Milan now want to sell Leao, and this desire to cash in on the winger likely means the price has come down to a more reasonable level.
After the Italian club’s intentions to sell were reported last week, Arsenal have now been handed another boost in their pursuit of the 26-year-old.
According to Bild, Bayern Munich, who have been touted as the favourites to land the player’s services, now have reservations about him.
Bild suggest that the German outfit are internally divided on Leao, and they may now only add Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade to Vincent Kompany’s squad this summer.
If Bayern are indeed out of the race to sign Leao, then Arsenal should essentially be unopposed in the battle for the player.
Chelsea have been cited as potential suitors in the past, but the Blues have seemingly turned their attentions to Jamie Gittens and are unlikely to have room in their already over-inflated squad for both.
Barcelona have also been in the conversation for Leao, although the Spanish club are concentrating their efforts on signing Williams instead.
This leaves Arsenal as the sole suitor, and the only club in Europe who are looking at him who can feasibly afford to enact the deal.
Arsenal should definitely consider Leao at a certain price
Potentially the only club left in the running, Arsenal should be able to weaponise this in potential negotiations for Leao.
That said, the Gunners should only consider signing him if the fee drops below a certain price, probably around the £60 million mark.
While a talented player with exceptional dribbling and ball-carrying qualities, there are question marks around his output and whether he can do the defensive work required to play in a Mikel Arteta team.
| Leao’s Serie A Statistics 2024/25 | |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 8 |
| Shots per 90 | 2.56 |
| Expected Goals per 90 | 0.29 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.24 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 2.25 |
| Successful Take-Ons per 90 | 2.29 |
| Progressive Carries per 90 | 4.77 |
| Tackles per 90 | 0.62 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 0.23 |
Arteta doesn’t want to carry anyone off-the-ball, and Leao as he is right now is something of a defensive liability.
It remains to be seen as to whether he can be coached on the defensive side of the game, or whether this would be a trade-off the Gunners would have to accept with him.
This makes the deal inherently risky, and the price should reflect that, along with the fact that Leao would demand hefty wages.
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