(Credit: Imago)

Arsenal make decision on sensational £85m Rodrygo deal

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

Published on:

13 May 2025, 2:30 pm

Rodrygo's £85million price tag at Real Madrid could see Arsenal turn their attention elsewhere this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta can land his top targets in the summer window, with the Gunners set to finish a distant second behind Premier League title winners Liverpool.

Rodrygo is one of several names on Arteta's shortlist at the Emirates, but Football Insider sources have said that the Brazilian's valuation of close to £85m will be "prohibitive" in Arsenal's attempts to sign him.

Real Madrid's number 11 has also attracted interest from Liverpool ahead of the window, and although they are in the market for a winger, sources have told Football Insider that Arsenal have bigger priorities.

Mikel Arteta is in desperate need of a new striker this summer (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Arsenal transfer priority clear amid Rodrygo pursuit

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that signing Rodrygo alongside a new striker would be a "real statement" from Arsenal, but the Gunners have a greater need for the latter.

Football Insider have also said that rather than spending £85m to buy Rodrygo from their Champions League quarter-final opponents, Arsenal will commit that level of fee to an out-and-out number nine.

Arteta is well stocked out wide with Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard to choose from, and while some Arsenal fans want to see the latter sold, they already have plenty of depth.

Rodrygo's addition therefore wouldn't address the clear lack of a ready-made centre-forward needed at the Emirates, and sources have told Football Insider that this will be the priority position for Arsenal.

Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be joined in Arsenal's frontline by Rodrygo (Credit: Imago)

Berta must complete world-class striker signing at Arsenal

After three back-to-back season of going close but failing to get over the line in the Premier League and Champions League, Arsenal cannot afford to enter the next campaign without a capable squad.

It's no surprise to see a centre-forward at the top of Arteta and Berta's list of prorities, with the latter keen to "lay the groundwork" for Arsenal to sign RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko this summer.

Football Insider revealed on 11 May that a move for Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku is currently unlikely, with a ready-made and Premier League proven striker like Ollie Watkins far more likely to complete his anticipated move to the Emirates.

Arsenal

Real Madrid

Rodrygo

Peter O'Rourke