Arsenal and Real Madrid could engage in a huge January swap transfer deal.placeholder image
Arsenal and Real Madrid could engage in a huge January swap transfer deal. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
This Arsenal and Real Madrid swap deal would set pulses racing in the January transfer window
Premier League leaders Arsenal are hoping to finally break their second-place hoodoo and get their hands on the title come the end of the season, for the first time since they went the entire season unbeaten in 2003/04.
After one of the most iconic seasons in English football history, to say that the Gunners would not win a single Premier League or Champions League for over 20 years afterwards would have seemed more than unlikely at the time.
But with a lead at the top of the table and strength in depth across the field, Arsenal look best placed to take the Arteta era to a new level in 2026. They could yet gain some extra help in January when the transfer window reopens, particularly amidst reports that a former top target is available for transfer and could be acquired for a cut-price fee in the winter window.
Arsenal and Real Madrid could seal stunning Rodrygo deal
According to reports by Caught Offside, Arsenal and Liverpool are both ‘preparing bids’ for Real Madrid and Brazil forward Rodrygo, who has reportedly been put on the ‘transfer list’ at the Bernabeu amidst a lack of game time under Xabi Alonso. Alonso continues to publicly back the player but a combination of fierce competition for places and poor form in his rare cameos – totalling just 330 minutes in La Liga this season – have meant that Rodrygo could be surplus to requirements for the Spanish giants.
Arsenal were heavily linked with the 24-year-old over the summer, with bids close to €100 million predicted, but nothing came to fruition. Now, Rodrygo could reportedly be available for as little as £74m in the infamously expensive winter window. That would still feel like a hefty price to pay for a player who would be faced with significant competition in a squad in such top form. Arsenal could, therefore, offer one of their own attacking stars in exchange for the winger in a swap deal.
Rodrygo and Gabriel Martinelli swap deal could be shock answer
Rodrygo’s international team-mate Gabriel Martinelli has seen his Arsenal career stall slightly in recent years, and rumours of an exit have appeared but have not progressed. If the opportunity to include the winger in a swap deal for Rodrygo arose, however, the Gunners hierarchy would be given a serious decision to make.
Martinelli has played an important role for Arsenal this season from his frequent capacity as a substitute, scoring key goals against the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich. He is no stranger to scoring at the Bernabeu, either, having netted the winner in the Champions League quarter-finals at the iconic stadium last season.
At aged 24, Martinelli might take this as an opportunity for a fresh start at one of the biggest clubs in the world, as he is likely to be somewhat frustrated with his bit-part role at Arsenal. Furthermore, if Vinicius Jr were to depart as continues to be speculated around Madrid, Martinelli could take his left-wing spot and make it his own. Los Blancos might see Martinelli as a better option for the role than Rodrygo, offering all parties the chance of a fresh start in a like-for-like deal involving the two wingers.
Rodrygo remains a high-value asset for Real Madrid and they could opt to demand a small fee on top of Martinelli for their Brazil star. But that could be a price to pay for Arsenal to secure a player who they have identified as a top target for some time.
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