ARSENAL have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Rodrygo after it has emerged that Real Madrid are reportedly open to selling the winger.
Rodrygo, 24, has been linked with a switch to the Emirates this summer but the Gunners had been waiting to see if Madrid would be open to a sale.
Now The Athletic claim that the Spanish giants, and their new manager Xabi Alonso, are willing to let Rodrygo leave if a suitable offer arrives.
Rodrygo has struggled for game-time in recent months, making his first appearance in 53 days in Madrid’s Club World Cup opener on June 18.
Since then he has been benched from the off for the three subsequent matches, featuring for only 23 minutes.
The Athletic report that Rodrygo’s father and agent, Eric Goes, has complained about the Brazilian’s lack of minutes behind superstar trio Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
It’s said that those complaints haven’t been well received at Madrid.
Arsenal are understood to have already held preliminary talks with Rodrygo’s representatives in recent weeks.
However, David Ornstein of The Athletic claimed this week that the arrival of a top left winger, like Rodrygo, would likely depend on an exit for Gabriel Martinelli.
Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, he said: “If he [Martinelli] was to leave, then you could see them maybe bringing in a top left winger.
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“If he’s not to leave then I don’t think so.
“We’ve talked and reported on the likes of Rodrygo and Anthony Gordon, I think that’s if a Martinelli leaves, I don’t necessarily think that’s if he was going to stay”.
Arsenal announced their first signing of the summer this week, the £5m arrival of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Kepa joins the Gunners on a three-year deal and is set to play backup to current No1 David Raya.
Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Brentford‘s Christian Norgaard are also expected to be announced as Arsenal players in the coming days after the Gunners wrapped up deals for the midfield duo.
While links to Crystal Palace star Ebere Eze have intensified in recent days, with reports suggesting Arsenal are considering a move to sign the England international.
Inside Arsenal's frustrating striker transfer saga
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL’S never-ending hunt for a world-class striker is in turmoil as deals for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres stall.
The Gunners were confident of doing their business quickly this summer after months of preparation by boss Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta.
But inflated asking prices and broken gentlemen’s agreements have derailed those plans and left Arsenal frustrated.
Sesko believed he would be allowed to leave RB Leipzig for around £60million, while SunSport understands Gyokeres was told £59m would be enough to seal his own exit.
But those price-tags have gone up, leaving Arsenal debating whether they represent value for money.
While the players’ camps are also growing restless, knowing the Gunners can only sign one of them.
So what next? Will Arsenal keep waiting in the hope of fees eventually going down? Or turn to other targets, like Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike?
Whatever they decide, with pre-season looming and the fixtures already out, Arteta will be desperate for them to move quickly to avoid another nearly season.
