Arsenal are looking to add a winger to Mikel Arteta’s squad this summer, and Rodrygo is now firmly established as their top target.
The Gunners want to bolster their wide forward options after the likes of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling all failed to produce what was needed last season.
Arteta is convinced Rodrygo is the right man, and the North Londoners are reportedly prepared to make the deal happen.
Xabi Alonso has waxed lyrical about the Brazilian since arriving at the Bernabeu this summer, although this may well be public posturing given the Spanish manager’s latest decision about the player.
Real Madrid strolled to a 3-1 victory over Mexican side Pachuca on Sunday evening in Charlotte.
Despite Raul Ascencio being sent off for Los Blancos inside the opening ten minutes, goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde saw the Spanish side ease to all three points.
Rodrygo was not only left out of the starting line-up, but was not even introduced off the bench at any point.
This was a public humiliation from Alonso for the 24-year-old, with every other attacker in Real Madrid’s matchday squad getting on the pitch at some point, including youngster Victor Munoz.
This omission sparked speculation in Spanish media about Rodrygo’s future, and Arsenal fans, unsurprisingly, are now convinced this suggests that they have a strong chance of landing him this summer.
One fan wrote on X: “0 mins today… I know how that meeting went with Xabi Alonso. Rodrygo is a gunner.”
Another added: “Looks like we have a real chance with Rodrygo. Unless he’s happy to just be there, I don’t see how his position in Madrid is tenable? At Arsenal he will be positioned in his best position and take the #10 shirt. It’s rare that a talent like that becomes available. Get it done.”
One supporter wrote: “He subbed Brahim on before Rodrygo…”
Meanwhile, one fan also brought up the imminent arrival of Franco Mastantouno, a right-winger, at Real Madrid in his assessment: “Even without Mbappe, and without Mastantuono who is yet to arrive, Rodrygo played RW in the opening game but was taken off after 65 mins, and has now been benched for the 2nd game. He’s moving this summer.”
While the mood music doesn’t look good for Rodrygo’s Real Madrid prospects, any potential deal with Arsenal is likely to take a while to materialise.
The La Liga side still have one game left to play in the Club World Cup group stage, and are likely to progress into the last 16 of the competition.
Despite playing no minutes against Pachuca, Rodrygo’s situation is unlikely to be resolved until after Real Madrid’s exploits in the tournament are over.
The final is on July 13th, and the player is likely to go on holiday immediately after, further delaying negotiations and a potential transfer.
The odds of Arsenal having the Brazil international on their pre-season tour of Asia are extremely minimal.
The Mirror believe the Gunners may have to wait some time before Rodrygo and Real Madrid are even certain that the player will leave, so the North London club’s fanbase may ultimately have to be patient on this front.
