Arsenal are still interested in Real Madrid star Rodrygo – but will only sign him on one condition.
Rodrygo’s future has been a major talking point in recent months after the Brazilian endured a difficult campaign at the Bernabeu.
The forward, 24, had developed into an integral player for Real since joining from Brazilian side Santos for €45million (£37.9m) in 2019, but he found himself further down the pecking order in 2024-25 after Kylian Mbappe’s arrival last summer.
Things appeared to come to a head when he reportedly told the club he never wanted to play for them again before choosing not to feature in El Clasico against Barcelona in May, with former Real boss Carlo Ancelotti failing to pick him in a squad after that match.
And, despite starting Los Blancos’ first game at the Club World Cup under new manager Xabi Alonso, Rodrygo played just 27 more minutes across the competition.
Arsenal have shown interest in Rodrygo, who is valued at €90m (£77m) by Real, throughout the summer but cooled their pursuit due to the high asking price and the player’s substantial wage demands.
According to the Times, the Gunners remain keen on the South American and are willing to sign him if he’s able to leave on loan.
The outlet also report that Arsenal will approach Crystal Palace over a deal for England international Eberechi Eze.
Asked about hid decision to bench Rodyrog during the Club World Cup, Alonso said: ‘The fact that he didn’t play again is a game-by-game decision. The way things were going, we needed another player.
There haven’t been any decisions about the future throughout this entire championship; we haven’t rotated much. We’ll start in a different context.’
He added: ‘We want to build a team that plays as a unit and maintain that feeling and spirit. The World Cup has been very demanding; we’ve been left in the penultimate stage, it hurts, and now we’ll see what happens.’
Rodrygo has scored 68 goals and added 51 assists in 270 appearances for Los Blancos but it remains unclear what will happen next.
The Gunners have already strenghened their attack this summer with the signing of Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke.
Mikel Arteta’s men will face Athelthic Club in a friendly on Saturday before travelling to Old Trafford for their opening Premier League match of the season next week.
