Arsenal Weigh Move for La Liga Star Amid Financial and Squad Pressure | OneFootball

Arsenal Eye Rodrygo but Face Tough Decisions on Martinelli and Trossard

Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware under Mikel Arteta continues to drive bold thinking in the transfer market. As AS reports, the club have set their sights on Real Madrid’s Rodrygo to strengthen their attack, but the potential transfer could force a painful decision elsewhere in the squad.

AS indicates that Arsenal believe the time may have come for a “significant sale” to balance the books, simultaneously putting two of Rodrygo’s potential competitors at risk. Those players, as identified in the report, are Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Photo: IMAGO

Wages, Transfer Fee and Squad Implications

Rodrygo, still only 23, commands a wage that could disrupt Arsenal’s current structure. According to AS, “Real Madrid are paying Rodrygo €240,385 per week, which is about £206,000 per week and more than all but four current Arsenal players.”

It’s not just the wage that raises eyebrows. The fee itself would surpass £77m, a figure that places Rodrygo among the club’s most expensive signings. The Gunners, known for careful financial planning, may now need to sell to buy.

Martinelli, once untouchable, has endured a mixed season. His raw potential remains evident, but inconsistency and injuries have hampered progress. Trossard, meanwhile, enters the final year of his deal with no clarity over a new contract.

Photo IMAGO

Rodrygo’s Fit and Arteta’s Vision

Rodrygo’s name carries weight. He has had to live in the shadows at Real Madrid, operating out of position and often sacrificed to accommodate Vinicius Junior and now Kylian Mbappe.

Arsenal offer a more tailored platform. “A spot on the left wing would be his for the taking, especially if Martinelli was sold before his potential arrival,” AS noted. Yet Arteta values versatility, and Rodrygo’s ability to play across the front line makes him a particularly attractive proposition.

While he is not viewed as the club’s striker solution, that remains Benjamin Sesko’s domain, he would be integral to their attacking evolution.

Arteta is believed to “appreciate Rodrygo precisely for his versatility and ability to play on either wing or at centre-forward.” That flexibility, combined with technical elegance, could elevate Arsenal’s fluid front line further.

Player’s Focus Remains on Madrid

For now, Rodrygo’s gaze is firmly fixed on Madrid. “He remains under contract until 2028 and wants to prove himself to new coach Xabi Alonso,” AS confirms. His involvement in the Club World Cup and loyalty to the Madrid cause suggest that any decision on his future will not come hastily.

Photo IMAGO

That said, Arsenal’s interest is genuine. They’ve been tracking alternatives, including Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, but with Barcelona now favourites for him, Rodrygo’s profile has risen again within the Emirates corridors.

Should Madrid choose to cash in, and should Rodrygo wish to make his name elsewhere, Arsenal might just present the most compelling project.

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For Arsenal, Rodrygo is the type of signing that suggests intent, ambition, and a desire to bridge the gap to Manchester City. He’s got Champions League pedigree, top-level experience, and an attacking profile that could complement Bukayo Saka beautifully on the opposite flank.

But fans also know what Gabriel Martinelli represents. There’s deep affection for the Brazilian, a player signed young, developed with care, and one who wears the shirt with purpose. To see him sold to fund Rodrygo would sting, no matter how logical the decision may seem on paper.

Trossard’s future seems easier to resolve. If contract terms can’t be agreed, few would begrudge a sale. But Martinelli? That’s harder.

If Rodrygo arrives, the balance of Arsenal’s attack would shift. It could be transformative, but it could also come at the cost of a fan favourite. That’s the dilemma at the heart of this story: bold ambition versus emotional loyalty.

And in modern football, it’s often ambition that wins.