Real Madrid could be forced to sell Rodrygo this summer amid transfer links to Arsenal, a new report has claimed. The Brazil international has been at the centre of exit rumours over the last few weeks following on from a significant lack of minutes.
Carlo Ancelotti later clarified that was due to both injury and illness but there is actually a real chance he departs the Spanish capital before the 2025/26 season. Arsenal are the club to have been most strongly linked but Liverpool and Manchester City have also taken an interest.
Football.london understands that the Gunners would like to sign a wide forward alongside welcoming a striker, defender and back-up goalkeeper.
In addition to that, Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have set their sights on a midfield acquisition but that aim is already close to being completed. Martin Zubimendi was identified as the dream signing earlier this year and now a full agreement with Real Sociedad has been reached and a medical set to take place.
Following on from that, Arsenal will need to make a number of decisions with Berta appearing to identify and begin talks with representatives of several different targets.
Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are the two strikers on top of the club's shortlist while Nico Williams, Bryan Mbeumo and Ademola Lookman have all been linked in addition to Rodrygo.
With significant change already taking place at Madrid after a season without silverware, Rodrygo could join Luka Modric in leaving the club but new head coach Xabi Alonso has seemingly dismissed that.
"He's a Madrid player and I will have a conversation with everyone because we need to do so," he admitted to reporters in his press conference on Monday at his unveiling. "We'll get to know each other. He's a spectacular player and we need him."
Despite Alonso's wish being clear, Madrid may have no choice but to sell a big name and that could be Rodrygo. According to Spanish radio network Cadena SER, Los Blancos plan to balance their financial books through selling a big name player and it is most likely that will be Rodrygo.
Their report adds that Arsenal are interested and signing him could cost £67million (€80m). Considering the qualities he will undoubtedly bring to Arteta's squad, that could be a reasonable price especially when also factoring in what else Arsenal need to spend their budget on.
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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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