Arsenal appear to have just one concrete option remaining in their search for a wide forward with top target Nico Williams set to join Barcelona.
The La Liga champions has always been his preferred destination even with the Gunners as long-term admirers and Bayern Munich recently holding multiple transfer meetings for him.
With the 22-year-old’s weekly earnings, his wages were the main stumbling block that prevented an Athletic Club exit but that does not look to be an issue for Barcelona with an agreement sealed over a six-year contract that will see him earn up to a total of £41million (€48m).
Having been on Mikel Arteta’s radar for some time, it will certainly come as a blow that the Gunners must move on to other targets.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo was one name that unexpectedly emerged as a serious option back in early May, with Arteta again a keen admirer. If new head coach Xabi Alonso decides to allow an exit, his asking price looks set to be £76.8million (€90m).
That is quite a significant outlay for Arsenal, but the funds are likely there considering the lack of big spending last summer and the exits sanctioned. If that was the fee that paid, he would become Arsenal’s second most expensive signing under Arteta behind Declan Rice.
As things stand, it is more likely he stays in the Spanish capital with Alonso sending a clear message even before naming him in his first Real starting XI for their Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal with an assist picked up in the 1-1 draw.
“I know what had happened,” Alonso told reporters earlier this week. “The end of the season wasn’t easy for him [Rodrygo].
“He took some time to reset. We’ve talked since day one, and I see him eager to contribute on the field and enjoy himself.”
The Gunners do need a versatile and elite-level attacking addition with Rodrygo the only alternative to Williams that has been at the centre of transfer talks. However, as there is no guarantee of a departure, Andrea Berta has identified a handful of alternatives.
Leroy Sane and Bryan Mbeumo were two of those, but both are primed for moves elsewhere which in turn has left Ademola Lookman, Jamie Gittens and Rafael Leao. Noni Madueke of Chelsea is also on their radar – as per Matt Law of the Telegraph.
None of those names are quite as inspiring as Rodrygo which seems to suggest all of their eggs will be in his basket when it comes to recruiting a winger.
Leao is an intriguing option, though, with there being a serious chance he leaves AC Milan this summer as they did not qualify for the Champions League. However, he is set to cost £85million (€100m) with his contract not expiring until 2028.
