Aaron Ramsdale is expected to leave Southampton this summer.placeholder image
Aaron Ramsdale is expected to leave Southampton this summer. | Getty Images
Andrea Berta will have to cough up big money to sign a high profile Real Madrid target this summer.
The Galacticos star continues to be named as a target for the Gunners. Arsenal have a striker and a central midfielder as a priority this summer but are then expected to turn their attention to strengthening the flanks. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have been linked with potential exits while Mikel Arteta had to turn to 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri regularly last season, who impressed but is still wet behind the ears.
Rodrygo will not be a cheap addition and the 24-year-old is also said to be courted by Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Cadena SER now reports that the Premier League does indeed seem the most likely destination for Rodrygo.
Arsenal learn Real Madrid asking price
The player’s future under new Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is still unknown, having been benched against Pachuca recently. Cadena SER claims that, even if Rodrygo is out of favour under Alonso, Real Madrid will demand a fee of €90 million - or £77 million - to green light a transfer exit. Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to have a tough time negotiating that down.
Real Madrid are reported to be aware of Arsenal interest in the player and first team stars at Emirates Stadium are already aware just how much Rodrygo could bring to the squad. Ahead of the Champions League fixtures against Real Madrid, Gunners midfielder Mikel Merino was asked which Real Madrid player he would most like to play with.
He said: "It's hard to pick one, but I'd probably say Rodrygo. I'm not saying he's underrated, but he's a player I really like: fast, physical, technical, he has great one-on-one skills, he's good in space. Very complete."
Gunners monitor West Ham and Leeds United transfer links
Meanwhile, Arsenal will continue to keep an eye on transfer rumours swirling around Aaron Ramsdale. The former Gunners shot-stopper joined the Saints for £18 million last summer. There had been a potential £7 million in bonus payments but those are thought to be unlikely to be activated after the team’s relegation and if Ramsdale leaves this summer.
Several clubs have been linked with interest in Ramsdale, who is not expected to stick around at St Mary’s for the Championship season. West Ham and Leeds United have both been named as clubs interested in a move for Ramsdale - the former also linked with Chelsea man Robert Sanchez following the departure of Lukasz Fabianski as a free agent.
That transfer is of significance to Arsenal with The Times reporting that the Gunners added a sell-on clause to the deal when selling Ramsdale to Southampton last summer. The goalkeeper is expected to leave for £20 million thanks to a release clause activated after relegation and some of those funds will be wired to the Emirates Stadium.
In other news, Arsenal set to complete first signing as target likened to ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid star 'jets in' to seal deal.
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