Rodrygo Xabi Alonso Arsenal
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 23 May 2025 7:21, UK Updated Fri 23 May 2025 8:50, UK
Arsenal’s pursuit of Rodrygo will get a big shot in the arm if Real Madrid complete a deal for one of Mikel Arteta’s long-term targets, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Arsenal’s efforts to sign the Brazilian winger.
Rodrygo has been tipped to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer amid frustrations at his place in the squad behind Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, and Arsenal have emerged as a front-runner.
Football Insider revealed on 18 May that Madrid will ask for up to £100million for Rodrygo with Liverpool and Arsenal both interested, and that makes a deal difficult for the Gunners in what is a priority position.
However, sources have now told Football Insider that Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is now on Madrid’s radar ahead of the summer window, and a deal for the Spain international could work in Arsenal’s favour.
Williams had been right at the top of Arsenal’s shortlist in their hunt for a new left winger, but Football Insider sources have said that a move to Madrid could open the door for Arteta to sign Rodrygo instead.
Rodrygo
Rodrygo looks set to be out of favour at Real Madrid this summer (Credit: Imago)
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Arsenal and Real Madrid to trade targets in Rodrygo chase
Football Insider revealed on 13 May that Rodrygo’s £85m price tag could see Arsenal prioritise other positions ahead of signing the winger this summer, but Madrid’s own movements could now change this.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that despite Williams previously being Arsenal’s top target on the left flank, Rodrygo’s potential availability could make the transfer work for both parties.
“They’ve got a chance… it’s a difficult one to pull off, no doubts about that”, he told Football Insider.
“We know the Gunners are in the market for a new winger… Nico Williams was probably the number one choice for Arsenal to play on that left side… he’s now on the radar of Real Madrid.
“So, if Real Madrid were to bring in Nico Williams, that might open the door for Arsenal to bring in Rodrygo… it’s funny how some of these transfers do end up working out.”
Nico Williams has been a long-term transfer target at Arsenal (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Rodrygo transfer still not a priority for Arsenal
Arsenal’s efforts to sign Williams on top of a new striker and defensive midfielder have been critcised as over-ambitious in some corners, as either the Spain winger or Rodrygo would both be headline transfers.
However, the latter two positions on Arteta’s three-man list are far more key to their Premier League title hopes for next season, as Arsenal press on with their pursuit of Sporting CP frontman Viktor Gyokeres.
This sentiment was agreed by Paul Robinson, who told Football Insider that while a move for Rodrygo would be a “real statement”, a “world class number nine” must be prioritised over the Brazilian’s signature.
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