Rodrygo has released another emotional statement as the clear-our at Real Madrid continues. The 24-year-old winger continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his frontline in the summer transfer window.
Rodrygo, who sees his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expire in June 2028, featured 30 times in La Liga this season, scoring six goals and providing six assists. The Brazil international was once a key player in Carlo Ancelotti's side, but recently he's played second fiddle to the likes of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
With Rodrygo facing an uncertain future in the Spanish capital, Arsenal have emerged as a potential suitor. According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Gunners are seriously considering a move for the Brazilian and talks have already started behind the scenes.
The report claims Rodrygo could leave Real Madrid, but it'll be difficult to wrap up. It's said that Arsenal are currently exploring every option to make a transfer possible.
Meanwhile, football.london understands that Chelsea are not interested in signing the Real Madrid star. The Blues feel his wage would be too high, which does not currently fit their model.
Ahead of the final game of the season, Los Blancos announced the departures of Ancelotti and Luka Modric. Rodrygo penned an emotional statement for them both on social media, describing the former as a 'mentor and a friend' and the latter as a 'legend'.
Then, during Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday afternoon, Lucas Vazquez made his last appearance for the club. After the game, Rodrygo posted another emotional tribute.
Captioning a picture of himself with the Los Blancos defender on his Instagram story, the Arsenal target wrote: "Cafucas my brother. Thank you for these years and especially for the friendship. You deserve the best!"
Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo on Instagram
Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo on Instagram (Image: @rodrygogoes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/rodrygogoes/3639790369837333294/)
Rodrygo also shared a photograph of himself with Modric before uploading a team picture at the Bernabeu, which he captioned: "REAL MADRID CF [white heart emoji]."
On Sunday morning, Real Madrid announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the club's new head coach. The clear-out in the Spanish capital is expected to continue, with Jesus Vallejo set to leave when he contract expires next month.
In the meantime, Mikel Arteta outlined exactly what he wants from the summer transfer window. Speaking to reporters ahead of Arsenal's clash against Southampton this weekend, the Spaniard handed Andrea Berta a three-point shopping list.
"What is clear with the amount of injuries we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat, we need the firepower out there, and understanding that the context can change tomorrow," said Arteta.
"We cannot rely just on the numbers we had before. We have to add goals, we have to add creativity, we have to add numbers and that will be in different positions."
On Rodrygo, Arteta said: "I wouldn’t like to name a player, but the biggest thing is that, and 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 the level, that we have shown the consistency and we are an elite team in this country and in Europe and if you don't do that, then what is going to happen?
"For me that is the biggest statement, that Arsenal is there..."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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