Arsenal are reportedly interested in making a move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, should he be available for loan. The La Liga titans are open to the forward leaving, as he has struggled to fit into Xabi Alonso's plans.
Rodrygo only started once during the Club World Cup campaign and does not seem to be a top choice for new manager Alonso, who has the luxury of choosing between Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham too. While Real Madrid have not actively sought a new club for him, they would entertain offers.
Although the official stance is that Rodrygo will remain at the Bernabeu, the former Santos player is said to be working with several intermediaries to explore other options. No formal negotiations have begun, but Liverpool and Tottenham, along with Arsenal, have been linked with him.
A deal with the Gunners seemed unlikely after Mikel Arteta's side signed Noni Madueke this summer, and Eberechi Eze appeared to become a key target. However, a move for Crystal Palace's winger may not be as likely as it once was, with Arsenal potentially looking for a player more commonly used in a wider position.
The Times reports that the North London team are still monitoring Rodrygo's situation. However, they will only consider making a move if a loan deal is available.
Last month, Real Madrid manager Alonso suggested that a decision over Rodrygo's future had yet to be made, despite the forward's struggles to secure regular first-team football.
"The fact that he didn't play again was a decision based on the game," he explained during the Club World Cup. "The way things were going, we needed a different player. Throughout this championship, there haven't been any decisions about the future; we haven't rotated much."
However, a temporary switch may not align with the Spanish giants' plans, as earlier summer reports claimed they hadn't actively sought to offload Rodrygo and would only entertain offers exceeding £78million.
Liverpool reportedly shifted their focus to the Real Madrid ace following their unsuccessful pursuit of Alexander Isak. According to ESPN Brazil, the Reds contacted the 24-year-old's camp before submitting a formal bid.
Rodrygo is believed to have reached agreement on personal terms with the Premier League champions. There are even suggestions that Los Blancos might reduce their valuation.