‘Arsenal not attractive for Rodrygo’ as brutal claim emerges
Rodrygo is unlikely to push for a move to Arsenal this summer and would prefer to stay at a “European giant” like Real Madrid.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson doubted Arsenal’s transfer credentials as Mikel Arteta eyes a move for the Brazilian forward.
Arsenal have been told that Rodrygo would cost a transfer fee in the region of £85million, but despite the winger’s fall out of favour at Madrid, it’s currently unclear if he’d want to make a move to the Emirates.
Robinson has told Football Insider that Rodrygo could soon be back in the first-team fold at the Santiago Bernabeu under Xabi Alonso next term, and argued that he may view Arsenal as a downgrade on Madrid.
Mikel Arteta’s side put Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid to the sword in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate win, but another trophyless season could put Arsenal out of contention to sign Rodrygo.
Arsenal to fail in Rodrygo transfer chase amid ‘giant’ claim
Rodrygo has already taken matters into his own hands and posted on social media to pour water on rumours that he wants to leave Real Madrid, but Arsenal’s interest could continue through the summer.
However, speaking on the latest Inside Track, Robinson said that Rodrygo won’t see a switch to North London as an “attractive proposition”, and argued the Gunners have clear priorities in other positions.
“It’s certainly an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli on that left-hand side, but it’s FFP and PSR isn’t it? It’s what the spending limits are if they’re going to go and spend £60–70million on Gyokeres“, Robinson told Football Insider.
“Rodrygo’s the type of player that Alonso’s going to want to keep; playing on either flank, can get a decent relationship with Trent [Alexander-Arnold].
“It’s not an attractive proposition for Rodrygo playing at Real Madrid to then go to a team like Arsenal – yes, they’re competing on every front, on every level, but are they one of the European giants?
“They’re an attractive proposition for a certain level of player, bracket of player, but I think he’s in the bracket above.
“If Arsenal can push the bar out and get a player like that, it would be a real statement, but I don’t think they’re in the ball-park for him.”
Arsenal close to deal for world-class Rodrygo alternative
Robinson previously told Football Insider that signing Rodrygo as well as a top-class striker would be a “real statement” for Arteta to make, and Arsenal are keen to close in on a deal for one half of that duo.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (15 May) that Andrea Berta has overruled Arteta to press ahead with a move for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, and the free-scoring Swede’s deal is now in “advanced talks”.
Rodrygo may be reluctant to leave Madrid this summer despite being bested in some style by Arsenal, but few Gunners fans would prefer to sign an out-of-form winger over one of Europe’s leading strikers.