Arsenal and Manchester City have both been linked with a stunning transfer for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.
Both Arsenal and City have signed reinforcements in attack already this summer. Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke are in at Arsenal, while Rayan Cherki is City’s new creative force after Kevin De Bruyne’s departure.
However, the possibility of signing Rodrygo may be too good to pass up on for both clubs. TBR Football understand Real Madrid will listen to offers from Arsenal or City for Rodrygo, who could cost a reported £100m.
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes caches a ball in the Champions League match against Arsenal
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
City may have been early frontrunners in the race for Rodrygo, however, a new announcement could indicate that they are not expecting him to arrive.
Man City hand Rayan Cherki an iconic shirt number after Jack Grealish exit
After Jack Grealish secured his season-long loan to Everton, his number ten shirt was made available at Manchester City. On the face of it, number ten would be a perfect number to hand to a marquee signing before the transfer window closes.
However, City have instead awarded the number ten to Rayan Cherki, who signed from Lyon at the start of the summer. He wore number 21 at the FIFA Club World Cup, with City making clear it was only a temporary squad number.
Now, Cherki will be City’s no.10 for the new season, presumably indicating that Grealish’s time at the club is over. Grealish has a contract until 2027, while Everton can make his loan permanent for £50m next summer.
Another squad number change appears to be Tijjani Reijnders getting the number four. That is his number listed on the City website, with former number four Kalvin Phillips allowed to leave after two underwhelming loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich.
Arsenal can now hand the number ten to Rodrygo if he signs
City awarding the number ten to Cherki follows the same approach as the summer of 2021 when Grealish was surprised to get the iconic number. City were still hoping to sign Harry Kane or Erling Haaland that summer, however Grealish got the number instead despite that ongoing interest.
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal, seen wearing the number 14 shirt, walks out onto the pitch following his recent transfer from Sporting CP prior to the Pre-Season Friendly between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at The Singapore National Stadium on July 27.
Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images
Instead, Arsenal could now offer their number ten to Rodrygo if they turn their interest into a concrete approach. The number remains free as new striker Viktor Gyokeres has opted to take the iconic number 14 at Arsenal.
He follows Thierry Henry and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to wear that number, while ten has been absent at the Emirates since Emile Smith-Rowe’s departure last summer.
In fact, only three players have worn number ten since Robin van Persie left in 2012 – Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, and Smith-Rowe.