Arsenal face Rodrygo transfer wait as Real Madrid's stance on sale emerges
Arsenal have identified Rodrygo as a top summer target in their search for a quality left winger but it may take time for a deal for the Real Madrid superstar to materialise
Arsenal may have to play a waiting game to land Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo. The Gunners are chasing an elite level left winger and the Brazil international is on their radar as an ambitious target for this summer.
Real Madrid may be willing to allow Rodrygo to leave this summer - but would demand in excess of £70m and his wage demands would make him one of Arsenal 's top earners. Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has had conversations with a raft of top clubs, agents and stars this summer and there is a belief that Real Madrid may be willing to do business.
Rodrygo, 24, may also fancy a fresh challenge even though he currently makes up one of football's most fearsome forward lines with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
But Arsenal know that Real Madrid's stance may soften as the transfer window drags on and if they have to offload or lower their demands then it is likely to be later in the window.
It would be a gamble as they have already seen another top target, Athletic Bilbao' Nico Williams, get lined up for a move to Barcelona.
But there is a genuine interest in Rodrygo and it now remains to be seen whether they can progress on it and get encouragement - or have to look elsewhere. The left winger, though, remains a top priority.
Arsenal will also have to balance the potential cost of a top left winger with the price of a new No9 with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko emerging as the favoured target.
They have courted Sesko for more than 18 months, they nearly got him last summer and have put in groundwork to land the Slovenian striker.
But RB Leipzig have been holding firm on a price in excess of £70m while Berta is also known for chasing multiple targets and then proceeding with the best deal.
That is why Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyökeres is still a strong possibility and Aston Villa 's Ollie Watkins is also on the radar because Arsenal want to strengthen in several positions and cannot blow all their money on one target.
They have already lined up a £51m move for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and that deal will be confirmed and announced imminently.
Berta has also been looking at the defence and the chance to shake it up and improve the back-up options.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Bellingham says he will undergo shoulder surgery after Club World Cup
CHARLOTTE, June 22 (Reuters) - Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham confirmed on Sunday that he will undergo surgery to address a long-standing shoulder issue after the conclusion of the Club World Cup in the United States. The 21-year-old, who has been managing the injury since 2023, has played through discomfort for both club and country. Real Madrid have scheduled the operation to follow the tournament, which concludes later this month. Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund earlier this year, has frequently been seen wearing strapping on his shoulder during matches. The injury first flared up in a match against Rayo Vallecano, forcing him to miss two games for both Real Madrid and England late in 2023. Speaking after Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Mexico's Pachuca in the Club World Cup, Bellingham explained his decision to proceed with surgery. 'I've reached the point where the pain isn't so bad, but I was sick of playing with the sling,' he told reporters. 'I'm losing a lot of weight from sweating so much, and I've decided that I'll have surgery after the tournament. I've been waiting for a long time, and my patience is running out, but the physios and doctors have been incredible. I just want to feel free,' he added. Despite his discomfort, Bellingham has been a key figure for Real Madrid since joining the club in the summer of 2023 from Borussia Dortmund, helping the Spanish giants win the LaLiga and Champions League double in his first campaign. The timeline for Bellingham's return remains unclear.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Antonio Rudiger accuses Club World Cup opponent of racism in Real Madrid game
Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger has accused Gustavo Cabral of racial abuse during his team's Club World Cup victory over Pachuca on Sunday. The alleged incident occurred in stoppage time as Rudiger was seen approaching referee Ramon Abatti after an exchange with his opponent. Cabral, a defender for Mexican club Pachuca, is alleged to have called Rudiger a 'negro de mierda' – a Spanish insult that translates as 'f***ing n*****' – sources inside the stadium have claimed to the Daily Mail. It should be noted that Cabral has disputed the claim, stating he had instead called Rudiger a 'cagon de mierda', meaning 'f***ing coward'. FIFA are set to investigate the alleged incident after the referee activated the anti-discrimination protocol with a crossed-arms gesture. Quizzed if Rudiger had been the victim of racism during the game, Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso told a press conference: 'Toni told us something, we support Toni and we will see what happens. 'I think the FIFA protocol has been activated to investigate, but if it has happened, all measures should be taken and we support Antonio because it's something unacceptable. 'In football there is no tolerance for this, and if it happened, then measures should be taken. This is what Antonio has told us and we believe him. It's being investigated now.' Pachuca head coach Jaime Lozano was also asked about the incident – but said he was unaware of what had happened. 'I just found out from you, you are letting me know, we did not talk about it in the dressing room,' he said. 'I haven't spoken to Cabral about this, I cannot give you an explanation about it because this is the first [I have heard of] this news. More Trending 'It cannot be justified at all but I will talk to him, I've known him for a little while and and I have never heard of something like that with Pachuca players.' Real Madrid won the match 3-1 despite being reduced to 10 men after just seven minutes, with Raúl Asencio shown an early red card. Goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde put the Spanish side in control before Elías Montiel scored for the Mexican side with 10 minutes to go. Real Madrid are back in Club World Cup action on Friday when they face fellow European side Red Bull Salzburg in Group H. MORE: Frank Leboeuf slams 'foolish' Chelsea fans and sends warning after Flamengo defeat MORE: Filipe Luis makes huge Nicolas Jackson prediction after Chelsea red card vs Flamengo MORE: John Obi Mikel worried for Chelsea star who keeps 'disappearing' in games
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Jude Bellingham reveals date has been set for summer surgery as Real Madrid star admits he is 'fed up' with injury
Jude Bellingham says he is looking forward to having shoulder surgery after the Club World Cup, admitting that he is 'fed up' of playing with a brace and that a date has been set for the procedure. Last month, Real Madrid confirmed they had scheduled surgery for the 21-year-old when the tournament in the United States is over. Bellingham has struggled with a persistent shoulder problem since 2023 and worn strapping on his shoulder when playing for his club and England. 'I'm fed up with the brace,' said Bellingham, after scoring in Madrid's 3-1 win against Pachuca in Charlotte and earning the Player of the Match award in the process. 'Hopefully we get to the final and I've got surgery a few days after the tournament to get it fixed. I'm really happy about that. It's been a long time coming. 'I've got to the point where the pain isn't so bad. It's more just getting fed up with it, with players tugging on it and it getting re-arranged every time. Bellingham scored one goal against Pachuca and was later chosen as the Player of the Match Speaking after the game, Bellingham revealed he is looking forward to having shoulder surgery 'I think I've come to the end of my patience with it. I'm sick of playing in a brace, especially in this heat and it'll be nice to have my old body back. 'I'm at that point where I'm ready to have a free shoulder and a free body.' Madrid — who drew 1-1 with Al-Hilal in their opening group game at the Club World Cup — will qualify for the last 16 if they beat Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday night. That game is likely to witness the return of Kylian Mbappe following a brief bout of gastroenteritis.
