Any deal for Rodrygo was always only going to pick up pace once Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign was over.
Last night, the former-great team were knocked out at the semi-final stage of the post-season friendly competition, meaning the door is now open for Arsenal to begin serious talks.
[](https://shewore.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/image-7.png)
Rodrygo’s stats in the Club World Cup highlights where the Brazilian is in new manager Xabi Alonso’s plans:
Starts: 1Appearances: 3Left on the bench: 3
Minutes played: 92 (17% of available minutes)
It has been made very clear to Rodrygo that he is not going to be a regular starter for Alonso, so it is no surprise that his representatives are rumoured to have a meeting with the club next week to discuss their clients future.
Rodrygo’s position at Real Madrid reminds me of Alexis Sanchez back in 2014.
Clearly talented players, both men were consistently played out of position to make way for more high-profile, better players. For Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, read Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.
In 2014, Barcelona signed Luis Suarez which left Sanchez as their 4th choice forward. He decided to push for a move to Arsenal where he could flourish in his favoured position and become a global superstar. For a time Sanchez was up there with the best players in the world.
Already competing with Vinicius Jr, Mbappe and Jude Bellingham (when he plays as a false 9), Rodrygo now has the highly talented trio of Endrick, Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia to contend with.
At the Club World Cup, Rodrygo has been victim of Xabi Alonson continuing to shuffle the pack.
In the Spaniards 6 games in charge, he has played:
433 with Rodrygo right wing433 with Federico Valverde352 with Trent Alexander Arnold at right wing back and Vinicius Jr and Gonzalo up top (twice)4312 with Bellingham playing behind Vinicius Jr and Gonzalo
4312 with Gonzalo playing behind Vinicius Jr and Mbappe
Rodrygo will likely disappear for a few weeks on holiday, resting and recuperating from the extended season. Whilst he is away, his representatives will be establishing if he has a future at Real Madrid, and if not what other options are there.
Coming to Arsenal, to be first choice left winger, will be high on his list of options. As will joining Bayern Munich following Jamal Musiala season long injury and Leroy Sane departing.
Following next weeks talks, Rodrygo will have a couple of weeks to ponder over his future before returning to Europe to make a final decision.
If it is Arsenal, I would expect the deal to happen in early August, at the earliest.
Rodrygo would unlikely join us in the US pre-season tour due to the late finish to the season, and negotiations with Real Madrid are unlikely to be concluded quickly.
I would expect his arrival to be close to, or after, the season has started. We would then have 2-3 weeks to get him match fit and ready for after the first international break 3 games in.
In the meantime, talk for Noni Madueke is increasing pace.
Madueke is splitting fans for a multitude of reasons: His price tag, and coming from Chelsea.
I feel those calling him a “Chelsea reject” are some way off the mark. Last season he started 80% of Premier League games for the team that finished 4th, and it highlights that we are recruiting real quality for out back up players.
Kepa was first choice keeper at Bournemouth – finished 9th.Christian Norgaard was captain of Brentford – finished 10th.
Noni Madueke was first choice right winger at Chelsea – finished 4th.
Madueke would be coming in to be backup to Saka, and a left footed option on the left wing to provide further cover (for potentially Rodrygo). He is Premier League ready and offers the raw pace and unpredictability that the team is missing.
Still only 23, I do think it is incredible that fans are writing him off just because who he plays for.
I do get fans questioning his price tag, but what does it matter if it does not stop us doing the other business we want? And you also need to take into account his much lower wages.
Yes, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cost PSG just £59m, and he is one of the best left wingers in the world. But they are also paying him of £300k a week putting his total cost at £137.
My bet is we get Madueke for around £45m + £5m add ons. With his wages taken into account, Madueke will likely cost us around £65-70m over 5 years. So whilst he might only be costing £9-15m less than Kvaratskhelia in transfer fee, the full cost will be over £60m less. And consider:
Bryan Mbeumo – £65mMathues Cunha – £62mAnthony Elanga – £55m
Mohammed Kudus – £55m
For me, Madueke is in the same bracket as these sort of fellas. And they have set the transfer fee for talented wingers who are perhaps not good enough to be starting week in week out for a top team.
Mbeumo and Cunha are ahead of him, but they are both 3-years old. And it is why Madueke will cost £15m+ less.
Madueke is on par with Elanga and Kudus taking into account their raw talent, attributes and age profile. None of them would start for Arsenal, Manchester City or Liverpool. All 3 would be back up players.
My view is if we get Madueke for less than the £50m doing the rounds (ideally closer to £40m with add ons), and his recruitment does not impact our chase for Rodrygo, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyorekes, then it is a very good move.
We moan for 3 years that Saka needs to play every game and we do not have a quality back up for him. We then spend the money to sign the man who is his back up for England and who played 80% of PL minutes for the team finishing 4th and we still moan!
Have a good Wednesday.
**Keenos**