Arsenal have their eye on a big money transfer move in the summer, yet one Liverpool manager flew abroad in a bid to sign the player they are eying, many years before
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Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal gestures
Arsenal v Newcastle United, Premier League, Football, Emirates Stadium, London, UK - 18 May 2025
Mikel Arteta will be looking to bolster his attacking line at Arsenal in the summer
(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
Arsenal are in talks to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who could have been turning out for Liverpool – had things been different. The Spanish giants are said to be willing to sell the Brazilian, who was signed from Santos in 2018.
In 2023, Rodrygo signed a new contract until 2028, which included an eye-watering release clause of €1billion (£840m). However, if Arsenal were to sign the South American, they would not need to come close to that figure, as reports from Spain understand Rodrygo may be available for around £67.5m.
While Mikel Arteta's side are in the hunt for him, Jurgen Klopp – when he was still manager of Liverpool – did everything he could to sway the versatile winger to Anfield, before Real Madrid swooped in. The German was so interested in signing him, he even got on a flight to meet the then youngster personally, according to Rodrygo's agent.
While speaking to Canal do Nicola in 2020, Rodrygo’s agent, Nick Arcuri, said: "When Rodrygo went to sign his first professional contract with Santos, aged 16, a Liverpool director called me saying that Klopp already knew the player, had seen the material, had already come to see Rodrygo personally.
"He had gone on YouTube, searched 'talents from Brazil’. Rodrygo had appeared and he was very young. He (Klopp) came to Brazil, and liked him.
"They contacted me, the Liverpool director wanted him to be his first signing, Rodrygo. I went to England, sat in London, Liverpool have an office in London.
"I brought the proposal to Modesto [Roma Junior], then president of Santos. Modesto didn’t accept.
Juergen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool shakes hands with Rodrygo of Real Madrid following the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on April 06, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors
Klopp personally met Rodrygo to try and convince him to join Liverpool
"It turned out that Santos didn’t want to sell Rodrygo and instead made the first professional contract. But it was Rodrygo’s first official proposal, he was 16 and it was Liverpool.”
Reports from Sky Sports Deutschland claim behind the scenes talks between Arsenal and Real Madrid are ongoing, which could result in Rodrygo moving to the Emirates Stadium. While a potential move has been described as "difficult", further reports from Spanish outlet Cadena SER claim a bid of £67.5m may be enough to persuade the Spanish giants to sell.
While Rodrygo has mainly been deployed on the right for Los Blancos, he is capable of playing on either wing. This would be a huge boost for Arteta, who was short of options on the flanks after losing Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to injury.
Rodrygo of Real Madrid controls the ball whilst under pressure from Mikel Merino of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain
Rodrygo is now of interest to Arsenal(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
When asked about being linked with players like Rodrygo, Arteta said: "I think the biggest thing is that - and I am using the word pride - we have brought the club into a position, into a place, that next season, you have to win a major trophy.
"That means that everybody believes that we have shown the level, the consistency, we are an elite team in this country & in Europe. If you don't do that, then what's going to happen? So, for me, that's the biggest statement, that Arsenal is there."
In 2018, Real Madrid agreed a deal with the Brazilian giants to sign Rodrygo for £38m when the player was only 18. He moved to the Spanish capital in 2019 and has won two Champions League titles and three La Ligas, contributing 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances for the European giants.
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