By all accounts, Arsenal would love to sign Brazilian winger Rodrygo from Real Madrid this summer.
New sporting director Andrea Berta has been tasked with finding Arsenal a new elite left winger this summer, an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Over the past couple of seasons Arsenal have lacked a bit of x-factor in attack and none of their options on the left have been able to match Bukayo Saka’s output on the opposite flank.
Therefore, Arsenal want to sign Rodrygo and they are monitoring his situation at Real Madrid very closely.
Rodrygo is frustrated with his situation in Spain right now, and unless new manager Xabi Alonso can convince the Brazilian that he’s a key part of the club’s plans moving forward, an exit could be on the cards.
Rodrygo is unlikely to leave Real Madrid before August
That being said, Spanish outlet Cadena Ser are now reporting that if Rodrygo does leave Real this summer, it won’t be until August.
Real are currently at the Club World Cup and will be hoping to go the whole way in the United States.
And therefore, it would make sense that Rodrygo’s situation wouldn’t be addressed until after the tournament, which ends mid-July.
However, that could be a hugely frustrating scenario from an Arsenal point of view.
Arsenal target Rodrygo Goes during Real Madrid's clash with the Gunners in the Champions League.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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Both Berta and Mikel Arteta are keen to get business done early this summer, and they’d like all of their new signings to be involved in their pre-season tour of Asia in an ideal world.
But that now seems nigh on impossible for Rodrygo, presenting a problem for Arsenal.
The Gunners ended up signing Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea last summer when they left their business late, a situation they can’t repeat.
It should be noted that there’s also no guarantee that Rodrygo will choose to leave Real, and should a deal collapse in August, Berta could be left in a very tricky spot.
Morgan Rogers could be Arsenal’s perfect Rodrygo alternative
That being said, Arsenal might be best served turning their attention to Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa.
Whilst predominantly considered a number 10, Rogers is able to operate from both the left and right wing, explaining why he’d be an astute signing for Arsenal.
Aston Villa value Rogers at around £100m this summer, a price tag Arsenal might understandably be reluctant to pay.
But that shouldn’t stop Berta from testing the waters — Villa have PSR concerns, and although they don’t want to lose Rogers, a concerted approach from Arsenal might change the situation.
In an ideal world, Arsenal might sign Rodrygo and Rogers in the same summer, two players who could play in the same eleven for Arteta.
But in order to avoid a long, drawn-out chase for Rodrygo, Arsenal might be better served making an immediate push for Rogers, who can definitely elevate Arteta’s attack.