Liverpool have entered the fray alongside Arsenal in a bid to meet the demands of Real Madrid’s talented winger, Rodrygo, as reports suggest he edges closer to a summer transfer.
The north London club are in pursuit of at least one new winger during this transfer window, with the Arsenal board eager to back Mikel Arteta. Arsenal have been associated with several wide talents, including Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, and Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman. Noni Madueke from Chelsea even received the famed “here we go” from transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, indicating an imminent move to the Emirates.
Yet, from early on, it has been clear that Real Madrid’s Rodrygo represents Arsenal’s true desire. The Brazilian, who has found himself slipping down the pecking order at the Bernabeu, was conspicuously absent from key fixtures. He was in the starting line-up only once and made two substitute appearances in Real Madrid’s four-game run at the Club World Cup, where they eventually succumbed to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.
In the aftermath of Madrid’s decision to bench him against Pachuca, manager Xabi Alonso reflected on Rodrygo’s situation: “He looks good, enthusiastic. The benching [against Pachuca] was merely a technical decision, but he remains an important squad member.”
While Rodrygo has purportedly made Arsenal his “absolute priority” for a transfer, other elite clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, PSG, and Bayern Munich have also been approached by his representatives.
Spanish outlet Defensa Central has placed Arsenal in ‘pole position’ for Rodrygo’s signature, with Real Madrid demanding €100m (£87m) to release the São Paulo native. His primary stipulation is the opportunity to play on his favoured left wing, a condition Arsenal and now Liverpool, the other noted contender, are prepared to fulfil.
After Romano confirmed Madueke’s deal nearing completion earlier this week, he addressed Rodrygo’s situation: “As of now, no official talks for Rodrygo have taken place, leaving it distinct from Madueke’s move. Presently, the discussions appear more exploratory.”
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