Arsenal have been dealt a setback in their pursuit of a top target this summer, with Andrea Berta's move for the player becoming increasingly complex as the Gunners face missing out on his signature.
Takehiro-Tomiyasu-Arsenal-Champions-League Related
Arsenal could also terminate 23-year-old's contract after Takehiro Tomiyasu
He's ready to accept an offer to leave.
Most recently, Mikel Arteta has welcomed Chelsea winger Noni Madueke to the Emirates Stadium, following the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
Madueke agreed personal terms with Arsenal at the start of July, and it didn't take long for the north Londoners to shake hands on yet another club-to-club deal with Chelsea themselves - agreeing a £52 million fee to make the 23-year-old their seventh arrival from Stamford Bridge in six years.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta through deals announced (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
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19/20 - winter £0
20/21 - summer £81.5m
20/21 - winter £900k
21/22 - summer £156.8m
21/22 - winter £1.8m
22/23 - summer £121.5m
22/23 - winter £59m
23/24 - summer £208m
23/24 - winter £0
24/25 - summer £101.5m
24/25 - winter £0
25/26 - summer £75m
The England international signed his five-year Arsenal contract on Wednesday morning (Fabrizio Romano), and it is only a matter of time before Madueke makes his Gunners debut.
After Madueke, Berta and Arteta are believed to hold a serious interest in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, who the club views as a potential central attacking midfield addition to complement captain Martin Odegaard - not a winger (Ben Jacobs).
Arsenal are planning to make an approach to Palace over signing Eze after talks with the 27-year-old's camp, and talkSPORT reported earlier this week that, despite this, the north Londoners are still very keen on Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
Saka-Rodrygo-Arsenal
The Brazilian, who could end up costing £80 million, remains high on Arsenal's target list, and Rodrygo has given "positive" indications that he'd be willing to join Arteta's side, according to the BBC's Sami Mokbel.
However, reports in Spain now suggest that the potential deal is proving a real mountain to climb.
Arsenal unlikely to sign Rodrygo as move hits "standstill"
Cadena SER, citing their "close" Arsenal sources, state the situation between Real's versatile forward and Arteta's side has become "very complicated".
rodrygo-real-madrid-arsenal
While not impossible, an Arsenal move for Rodrygo is becoming increasingly unlikely, especially as they close in Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres and having just signed Madueke.
Contacts have taken place between Premier League clubs and the 24-year-old's agents, but as of now, everything is apparently at a "standstill". Real actually view Rodrygo as one of the top 10 strikers in world football, with the former Santos sensation able to play as a centre-forward as well as on either flank, so they're refusing to drop his price tag.
Arsenal-Rodrygo
Liverpool apparently remain interested in him as an alternative to Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitiké, but for now, Xabi Alonso's side are not considering his departure. Los Blancos could now leave any exit discussions for August, with the player's future set to be a talking point for some time yet.
Rodrygo was scarcely used at the Club World Cup by Alonso, and it remains to be seen how the attacker fits into his plans, despite the obvious quality.
“For me he’s probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad," said Jude Bellingham about Rodrygo.
"The things he can do with the football - we’ll be messing around and he’ll flick the ball up somehow, and you’re like, ‘How do you do that?’. I’m trying to do it, twisting up my ankles and everything like that. He’s a pleasure to play with.”