Report: Arsenal eye Real Madrid star in £70m summer move | OneFootball

Rodrygo to Arsenal? Why the Gunners Might Strike Gold with Madrid Misfit

Arsenal’s attacking reset is gathering pace

Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are under no illusions: Arsenal must evolve if they’re to go one better in 2025–26. After another frustrating finish in the Premier League, where they ended 10 points behind champions Liverpool and scored 22 goals fewer than the previous campaign, the Gunners are prioritising firepower.

A key focus lies in bolstering the left-wing position. Bukayo Saka remains untouchable on the right, but Gabriel Martinelli’s declining output has forced a rethink. Enter Rodrygo — the £70million-rated Brazilian reportedly falling down the pecking order at Real Madrid. According to The Mirror, Arsenal are “increasingly emboldened that a deal can be done” to bring the 24-year-old to North London.

Why Rodrygo fits the bill

Rodrygo isn’t just another flashy name — he’s a Champions League winner with big-game pedigree. But under new Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, he’s fast becoming surplus to requirements. Despite starting the Club World Cup opener, he’s been mostly sidelined since. “He has not started since the opening match against Al Hilal,” reports The Mirror, and his bench-warming stint “despite Kylian Mbappe’s health issues” speaks volumes.

Photo: IMAGO

Alonso is clearly shifting Madrid’s tactical DNA. With Arda Guler emerging, and Franco Mastantuono added to an already stacked forward line, Rodrygo “increasingly looks like being the fall guy.” It’s not dissimilar to Mesut Özil’s situation in 2013 — cast aside by Madrid and scooped up by Arsenal, to widespread excitement.

Gunners pressing ahead on multiple fronts

Rodrygo isn’t the only name on Arsenal’s radar. Berta is still working on striker reinforcements, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres both live options. “Sesko has been the top choice, but Gyokeres remains very much in the mix,” according to the Mirror report.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s pursuit of Nico Williams looks likely to end in disappointment with Barcelona pressing ahead. Eberechi Eze is another candidate, but with a £68m release clause and a preference for a central role, he may not be the left-sided solution Arteta craves.

A smart gamble worth the risk?

At £70m and with top-tier wage demands, Rodrygo wouldn’t come cheap. But he’d arrive at the Emirates as an established international in his prime, hungry to prove himself in a system that prizes tactical discipline and wide creativity.

Crucially, Arsenal have history with players seeking a fresh challenge from the Bernabeu. If Arteta can extract the same drive and flair from Rodrygo that Ancelotti once harnessed, this could be the transformative wide option Arsenal fans have been calling for.

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From an Arsenal supporter’s perspective, this potential move for Rodrygo ticks multiple boxes. First and foremost, it’s a signal of ambition. After narrowly missing out on silverware again, the message is clear: Arsenal are serious about bridging the gap with Liverpool and competing on all fronts.

Rodrygo may not be a classic touchline winger like Martinelli, but his versatility, quick feet, and eye for goal could add much-needed unpredictability to Arsenal’s left flank. He thrives in tight spaces, can cut inside to link with Odegaard, and won’t be fazed by Champions League nights at the Emirates. That’s the kind of experience this young squad needs to take the next step.

Of course, there’s risk. £70m is no small outlay for someone potentially deemed expendable by Madrid. But as we’ve seen before, one club’s castoff can be another’s catalyst. Just look at the impact of Declan Rice last season – massive fee, massive return.

This deal, should it materialise, could also allow Arsenal to cash in on Martinelli while his value remains high. With Saudi and Bayern interest rumoured, the timing may suit all parties.

Rodrygo to Arsenal feels like a move with echoes of Özil’s arrival: glamour, quality, and the potential to raise the club’s ceiling. For fans dreaming of a Premier League title, this could be the wide spark that makes it possible.