Arsenal are interested in signing Real Madrid winger Rodrygo but any deal would require the Brazilian to actively push for a move away from the Bernabeu
Rodrygo
Arsenal target Rodrygo has indicated he is "happy" at Real Madrid
(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Rodrygo has moved to clarify that he is happy at Real Madrid despite ongoing transfer links to Arsenal. The Brazil international attacker, who is set to feature for Los Blancos at the Club World Cup in the United States, is on the Gunners' summer shortlist as sporting director Andrea Berta seeks to recruit a new wide player for Mikel Arteta.
However, any deal would require the 24-year-old to actively push for a transfer and tell newly-appointed boss Xabi Alonso that he wants to leave the Spanish giants. Arsenal are currently prioritising the signing of a new centre-forward with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko top of their agenda.
Early talks with their German counterparts and Sesko's representatives have already taken place and there is expected to be progress between the parties in the coming weeks.
However, it appears Rodrygo has now sent a pointed message over his future via an Instagram post which he captioned: "Happy," accompanied by a smiley and white love heart emoji. The image posted displayed Rodrygo in Real Madrid training.
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There has been a lot of noise surrounding the explosive forward in recent weeks but it appears he has now attempted to set the record straight over his future with a simple message to Real Madrid supporters.
He was always due to feature at the Club World Cup - the tournament is viewed as an extension to the 2024-25 season - but the chances of him leaving Real Madrid before the start of the 2025-26 campaign are also looking incredibly slim.
Rodrygo is however, expected to tell Alonso that ideally, he wants to feature from the left-wing next term and that could prove complex as Vinicius Jr has locked down the left flank at the Bernabeu and made the role his own since breaking into the starting XI.
Rodrygo
Arsenal target Rodrygo would be difficult to prise away from Real Madrid this summer
But Alonso is tactically flexible and according to Madrid-based media, is thought to value Rodrgyo's qualities highly as the Spaniard looks to put his own stamp on the star-studded squad he has inherited from Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso needed no hesitation to clarify that he was planning to keep the attacker during his Real Madrid unveiling, stating: "Rodrygo? He is a Real Madrid player. He is a spectacular player and we will need him."
The Brazil international mustered six goals and five assists in 20 La Liga appearances last season and the capture of 17-year-old Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono is not expected to have any bearing on Rodrigo's future.
Arsenal do also have other wingers on their radar including the likes of Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, a player of long-term interest, and Newcastle's Anthony Gordon.
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