Arsenal are open to making Real Madrid star Rodrygo one of the top earners at the club if they can execute a deal this summer, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Despite making 52 appearances for the club last season, Rodrygo is concerned about his future at Real Madrid and he’s been seeking certain assurances over his role in the squad.
New Real boss Xabi Alonso is a big fan of 20-year-old Arda Guler and that is something that concerns Rodrygo, who’s also aware that Vinicius Junior has the left-sided role locked down.
Of course, that’s where Arsenal come in — Mikel Arteta has a vacancy at left wing, the role Rodrygo would ideally like to play in moving forward.
And that has somewhat opened the door for Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta to explore a deal, one that would cause shockwaves across the Premier League.
Arsenal willing to sign Rodrygo as one of the club’s biggest earners
Given Rodrygo’s calibre, Berta and Arsenal are aware that the 24 year old would arrive as one of the club’s highest earners, if not the highest.
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Arsenal are open to Rodrygo taking a spot among their top earners, even if they are preparing new deals for William Saliba and Bukayo Saka that could break the £300k-a-week threshold.
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes caches a ball in the Champions League match against Arsenal
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
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In recent weeks, Berta has been doing a lot of work in the background on a deal for Rodrygo, attempting to understand the make-up of a potential switch to north London.
And it’s understood that Real’s hierarchy have made it clear that should they be willing to sell, they will be ‘realistic’ with his valuation.
It’s believed that Real would accept around £70m in that scenario, even if they think he could be worth closer to the £100m mark.
Xabi Alonso has no issues with Rodrygo at Real Madrid
Preliminary talks have taken place between Berta and Rodrygo’s representatives in recent weeks.
Arsenal knew the Brazilian would be heading to the Club World Cup and for their part, Real were also waiting to see how the squad situation arose with Rodrygo.
It’s understood that Alonso has no issues with Rodrygo at all, a player he would be happy to work with in the Spanish capital.
However, there is a realisation within the players’ camp and the club that he won’t be a regular starter across the whole season, given competition for places.
Of course, that is certainly something Arsenal can offer at the Emirates, and Rodrygo would even be able to play in his preferred left wing role.
And on that note, Gabriel Martinelli is considering his Arsenal future right now amid interest from Bayern Munich.