Arsenal may have a problem in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes.
The Brazil international has had a tough few months at the Santiago Bernabeu, and there aren’t many signs of improvement.
Rodrygo played no part in Real Madrid’s Club World Cup clash against Pachuca, and he could fall further down the pecking order once Franco Mastantuono arrives.
Arsenal are looking at Rodrygo for that reason, but the player’s preference may not be a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Rodrygo is waiting for Manchester City despite Arsenal interest
Arsenal and Manchester City have been fierce rivals over the last three seasons.
The two clubs have gone toe-to-toe with each other, and the Gunners even did the double over Pep Guardiola’s side last season.
Manchester City have already spent big in this window and will do everything they can to be better in the upcoming campaign.
That makes things difficult enough for Arsenal, but what could be even worse is if one of Mikel Arteta’s targets snubs him to join City.
Cadena Ser have claimed that despite the interest from Arsenal, Rodrygo ‘wants to explore other options because he knows Guardiola’s Manchester City were always there’.
City have unlimited money and will have absolutely no problem blowing Arsenal out of the water financially.
That complicates things for the Gunners in their pursuit of Rodrygo in the coming weeks.
Declan Rice could inspire Rodrygo to join Arsenal
Say what you want about Manchester City, they are a very attractive destination for top players.
The Sky Blues don’t just have an incredible squad, but they also have Pep Guardiola, who is regarded by many as the best manager of all time.
Add that to their financial muscle, and it becomes almost impossible to compete with them on transfers, but Declan Rice proved in 2023 that players can reject City.
The Englishman chose Arsenal over the then-Premier League champions — Guardiola publicly confirmed that Rice rejected Manchester City.
Rodrygo could use that as an inspiration, but whether he will is anyone’s guess at this moment in time.
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