REAL MADRID have reportedly named their price to allow Rodrygo to leave the club this summer.
Rodrygo, 24, has been linked with an exit from the Bernabeu during the summer transfer window, with Arsenal one of the clubs rumoured to be keen on a deal.
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The Brazilian winger struggled for game time towards the back end of the season at Madrid, playing just 17 minutes across Madrid’s last six La Liga matches of the campaign.
While he has also left on the bench for the entirety of Los Blancos 3-1 Club World Cup win over Mexican side Pachuca at the weekend.
New boss Xabi Alonso put those absences down to taking “some time that was good for him”.
Swirling rumours suggest that the 33-time Brazil cap could be looking for a way out, with Madrid open to letting him go for the right price.
And Spanish outlet Cadena SER have claimed that the Champions League giants will ask for around £77million to sanction a sale.
It’s thought that Madrid would want to reinvest that cash in a new midfielder, having already brought in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen in the early stages of the window.
The Athletic report that Arsenal are convinced they can offer Rodrygo an attractive sporting project that would allow him to play in his preferred position of left wing more regularly.
While they also claim the Gunners are prepared to wait and see if he is definitely open to leaving Real Madrid, but won’t wait too long with other targets for that position on the radar at the Emirates Stadium.
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Mikel Arteta and Co had been looking at a possible deal for Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, but the Spanish forward now looks set for a switch to Barcelona after agreeing personal terms with the Catalan club.
While it’s widely understood that Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon is also on Arsenal’s list of potential targets.
Arsenal are yet to make their first official signing of the summer, but appear to be on the brink of sealing moves for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the coming days.
The Gunners’ top brass, including new transfer chief Andrea Berta, remain focused on bringing in a centre-forward during the window too.
SunSport revealed last week that talks over a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko have stalled over the Slovenian’s wage demands, while Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres remains a second choice.
While it’s also been claimed that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who Arsenal failed to sign in January, is still admired and could return to the frame should they fail to land one of Sesko or Gyokeres.
Inside Arsenal’s frustrating striker transfer saga
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL’S never-ending hunt for a world-class striker is in turmoil as deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres stall.
The Gunners were confident of doing their business quickly this summer after months of preparation by boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta.
But inflated asking prices and broken gentlemen’s agreements have derailed those plans and left Arsenal frustrated.
Sesko believed he would be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for around £60million, while SunSport understands Gyokeres was told £59m would be enough to seal his own exit.
But those price-tags have gone up, leaving Arsenal debating whether they represent value for money.
While the players’ camps are also growing restless, knowing the Gunners can only sign one of them.
So what next? Will Arsenal keep waiting in the hope of fees eventually going down? Or turn to other targets, like Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike?
Whatever they decide, with pre-season looming and the fixtures already out, Arteta will be desperate for them to move quickly to avoid another nearly season.
