Arsenal will likely bolster their ranks this summer as the rebuilding job at the Emirates Stadium goes on.
The Gunners have gone from strength in recent years, from languishing outside the top four to becoming Premier League title challengers.
In addition, Arsenal are in the Champions League quarter-finals, where they’ll be playing Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
However, there’s still some way to go for the Gunners, amid fierce competition from Manchester City in a league where every team is becoming better and better.
With that in mind, Arsenal could well look to bring in some top players this summer. And one player the Gunners have been linked with is one of the best around.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport (21 March 2024, page 17), the Gunners – plus Liverpool – have touched base with Real Madrid over Rodrygo Goes.
Admittedly, Los Blancos reportedly deem him non-transferable, and Arsenal are said to be aware it would be incredibly difficult to sign him.
That said, if he does become available, the report claims Real Madrid will demand at least €100 million (£85million) to let Rodrygo go this summer.
This shows just how much ambition the Gunners have. They are now back at the top table and, as such, they are looking at players that fit the bill.
What has Casemiro reportedly said about Arsenal target Rodrygo?
On Tuesday, Rio Ferdinand and his co-hosts were speaking to Fulham and Brazil ace Andreas Pereira about a number of subjects on Vibe with FIVE.
On the subject of Rodrygo, Ferdinand said: “We’re talking about great wide players in the game and Rodrigo, for me…
“I sat with Casemiro for coffee a couple years when he first signed (for Manchester United).
“I said to him, ‘how good’s Vini (Jr), how good’s Rodrigo?’ He said, ‘Rodrigo – big game, he starts as he scores.'”
What are Arsenal hopes of signing Rodrygo this summer?
Admittedly, the Gunners may have their work cut out trying to sign Rodrygo.
Transfer insider Dean Jones recently claimed that Arsenal will have to pay a mammoth transfer fee as well as wages higher than Bukayo Saka‘s £195,000-a-week (Spotrac) for Rodrygo.
The journalist told GiveMeSport: “Consider what it would take for Arsenal actually to sign Rodrygo.
“They would need to pay a fee upwards of £85million, pay him over £200,000-a-week and convince him to leave Real Madrid. It’s a lot, and it doesn’t seem feasible.
“Yes, Arsenal are considering a wide attacker, but I do not know if this is the one that makes sense. It seems like a tough deal.
“He’s a Madrid player, and wherever he goes from there, it’s a downward step. Arsenal might be doing well and seem on a good trajectory, but he won’t necessarily be jumping at it.”
Let’s see what happens in the coming months. Obviously anything can happen in football, so the Gunners will no doubt probe further to see if they can at least get some discussions going.
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