Arsenal have upped the ante in their pursuit of Rodrygo by entering discussions over a move from Real Madrid after sporting director Andrea Berta has been determined to bolster the attacking options available to boss Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Gunners have not been afraid to splash the cash in recent years, with Declan Rice becoming the most expensive acquisition in their history thanks to completing a £105million switch from West Ham United in July 2023, but there is a strong desire to improve the squad after missing out on silverware during the 2024/25 campaign.
Although Martin Zubimendi has been on course to become Arsenal's first acquisition since the end of the season, having been prepared to undergo a medical which would see him join from Real Sociedad, he is not the only La Liga big-name who is being eyed by the north Londoners during the summer.
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Rodrygo in action for Real Madrid
Arsenal made enquiries to sign Rodrygo last week, according to GMS sources, even though there is an awareness that meeting his wage demands could prove to be difficult as it is likely that they would have to make a contract offer worth at least £250,000-per-week in order to convince him to join if he is given the green light to embark on a fresh challenge.
The 24-year-old Brazil international has been described as a 'world-class superstar' by outgoing Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric and, as preparations are made for another Premier League title push, the Gunners have pinpointed him as a leading target who could make the north Londoners more productive in the final third of the pitch.
GMS sources have been informed that Arsenal have acknowledged that it will take a significant offer to persuade Rodrygo's current employers to sanction his exit, particularly after he enjoyed a prolific 2024/25 campaign, but there is hope that including add-ons will allow them to land him for a smaller upfront fee.
Rodrygo's statistics for Real Madrid this season
The wide forward has a release clause worth close to £845million written into his Real Madrid contract, highlighting how highly he is rated at the Bernabeu, and the Gunners are desperate to find out whether new Los Blancos head coach Xabi Alonso is prepared to offload him ahead of next term.
Arsenal have been discreetly aiming to discover whether it would be possible to negotiate a deal which would see them pay the majority of any agreed fee immediately, GMS sources have learned, followed by further achievable add-ons which would be forked out when he hits certain milestones at the Emirates Stadium.
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Rodrygo in action for Real Madrid in 2024
GMS sources have been told that Arsenal are being forced to play the waiting game as Rodrygo is on course to have a decisive meeting with Alonso and influential figures at Real Madrid, when it will be decided whether he has a genuine future in his current surroundings or he could potentially ask to leave.
Although the Gunners have succeeded in tying Gabriel Magalhaes down to a new long-term contract, which comes as a major boost as the north Londoners have been eager to ensure key members of their squad remain on board, Berta and Arteta are also determined to secure attacking reinforcements to aid their push for silverware.
Arsenal are having to stay patient as they aim to find out whether there is a serious possibility of being able to recruit Rodrygo, GMS sources understand, and they are still interested despite coming to terms with the fact they will have to splash the cash if they want to have any chance of reaching an agreement.
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GMS sources recently revealed that Berta has been working on more than 10 deals at the same time as he seeks to improve the Gunners in attack, emphasising that they are keeping their options open, and the Real Madrid fan favourite is among the targets being explored during the initial 10-day transfer window.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 06/06/2025
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