‘Real Madrid to leverage mega-money threat to spark Arsenal action on Rodrygo’
Real Madrid are set to use interest in Rodrygo from wealthy clubs to leverage Arsenal into making a move for the Brazilian forward.
Arsenal fell short for the third season in a row last time out, as Liverpool won the title while they came second just like Manchester City did in the two years previous.
Mikel Arteta has a strong defensive unit, but his attacking set-up was what let the Gunners down last term, with injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus meaning midfielder Mikel Merino was used as a makeshift striker for the majority of the second-half of the campaign.
He is clearly trying to fix their problems this summer, with RB Leipzig hotshot Benjamin Sesko linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, while Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is believed to be the Gunners’ main target.
Football Insider revealed revealed in May that Real Madrid will ask for up to £100million for Rodrygo with Liverpool and Arsenal both interested, and the Gunners are continuing to plot a move for the 24-year-old this summer.
Saudi interest in Rodrygo could be used by Madrid to force Arsenal to make a move
Rodrygo has been reported as wanting out of Madrid this summer after falling down the pecking order behind Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham last season, but Xabi Alonso’s arrival looks to have boosted his chances of staying ahead of the new campaign.
Football Insider‘s Pete O’Rourke revealed on Friday (13 June) that Arsenal look set to miss out on a move for the Brazilian as he is now happy to stay, but FourFourTwo have now reported that the Gunners remain hugely interested in the 24-year-old.
Madrid are set to demand a huge fee for his services, and FourFourTwo also claim that interest in Rodrygo from Saudi Pro League sides may be used by Los Blancos’ chiefs to leverage Arsenal into making a move to sign him soon with the transfer window now officially back open.
Arsenal are planning a big summer window but must get deals done quickly
Football Insider verdict
Arsenal have been runners-up in the top-flight in the last three seasons, and it is clear that they need to continue to make improvements to their squad to finally clinch a title, with Arteta needing trophy success soon to truly prove that he is the right man for the job at the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners supporters are likely to get restless with their lack of transfer activity before long, especially with title rivals Liverpool set to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz in one of the biggest deals in English football history, and Man City having spent over £100m already with numerous new faces through the door.
| Player | Signed from | Transfer fee |
| Riccardo Calafiori | Bologna | £42m [Sky Sports] |
| Mikel Merino | Real Sociedad | £27.4m [BBC] |
| David Raya | Brentford | £27m [Sky Sports] |
| Raheem Sterling | Chelsea | Loan |
| Neto | Bournemouth | Loan |
As well as Rodrygo, Swedish international Gyokeres and Leipzig frontman Sesko have both been linked, but Football Insider have recently revealed that Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are at odds over which to sign this summer.
Former Aston Villa chief Keith Wyness recently told Football Insider that the Arteta is plotting a move to sign Villans talent Morgan Rogers this summer too, so it is clear that he is planning to bolster his forward options after they scored less than both Liverpool and City last term, but had a better defensive record.
Arsenal are still yet to make any moves in the transfer window so far, though, and they could see their targets move elsewhere soon if other clubs make quick progress on deals, which would not stand them in good stead for another title challenge in 2025/26.