Arsenal will be in the market for a new winger this summer, and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has emerged as a potential option that Andrea Berta is exploring.
Rodrygo has endured something of a down year at the Bernabeu, netting just six goals and providing five assists in La Liga.
However, the Brazilian has been mostly deployed on the right rather than his favoured left side and has been operating in a dysfunctional Real Madrid system.
A supremely talented individual, Arsenal sense that Rodrygo may represent an appealing market opportunity this summer, and have subsequently identified him as a genuine transfer target.
Several reports have emerged suggesting that Rodrygo wants to leave Real Madrid, although conflicting indications have now surfaced this week.
Arsenal target Rodrygo wants to speak to Xabi Alonso before making Real Madrid exit decision
Mikel Arteta wants to upgrade the left-hand side of his attack this summer, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli both producing inconsistent seasons.
Nico Williams has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, although the Spaniard is reluctant to leave his home nation for England.
Thus, Rodrygo has emerged as a viable option, but Spanish publication AS indicate that reports that the player is set on a Real Madrid departure are wide of the mark.
The outlet claims that the 24-year-old is eager to rediscover his best form with Los Blancos and hasn’t decided to leave yet.
Rodrygo wants to have a conversation with the imminent new Real Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso, to discuss where he fits into the tactician’s project.
The wide forward is keen on garnering Alonso’s trust, although if it’s made clear to him that he has no future in the Spanish capital, then he’ll consider offers from the Premier League.
Arsenal can sell Mikel Arteta’s project to Rodrygo
These latest reports suggest Arteta may have to convince Rodrygo to swap Madrid for North London.
Leaving the bright lights of the Bernabeu is never an easy thing to do for a player of this calibre, but Arsenal have an exciting project the Gunners boss can sell to the Brazil international.
Alonso is never going to be able to offer Rodrygo regular minutes in his favoured left-wing position, due to the existence of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe in his squad.
| Rodrygo’s La Liga Statistics 2024/25 | |
| Appearances | 30 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Shots per 90 | 2.52 |
| Expected Goals per 90 | 0.19 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 2.29 |
| Successful Take-Ons per 90 | 2.29 |
However, Arteta can propose to the player that the left-hand side is his, and he can become one of the talismanic figures at the Emirates.
Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League prospects are encouraging, and being one of the key men to lead the North Londoners back to the promised land could be more enticing than being a cog in the Real Madrid machine.
These are the sorts of conversations Arteta has to be having with Rodrygo if he gets the opportunity.
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