The summer transfer window is ramping up with Arsenal and Mikel Arteta making moves ahead of the new Premier League season that is now just weeks away.
On Saturday, the club confirmed the arrival of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Sweden international signed a five-year contract with Arsenal, bringing an end to the long search for a new striker.
He has now joined up with his teammates for their pre-season tour of Asia, and could make his debut this week when the Gunners take on rivals Tottenham in a pre-season friendly on Thursday.
Gyokeres is not the only new arrival with Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga also joining the club.
Reports remain around other potential incomings, with one of the names to have been linked being Real Madrid winger Rodrygo. Here is a look at the latest over a potential move for the Brazilian.
£86m demand
Real Madrid have set a clear demand when it comes to Rodrygo, according to reports in Spain. AS say that the Spanish giants will only listen to offers ‘in the region of €100 million’ (£86m).
That seems to have put any teams showing an interest off. The report adds that Arsenal are yet to make any move for the player, having already invested heavily in the transfer window.
It says that Rodrygo is now running out of options to leave Real Madrid this summer. Tottenham are mentioned as on, but it adds that it would be a ‘step down’ compared to the other options he has had.
Liverpool links
Another team to be linked with an interest is Liverpool. Reports last week from journalist Santi Aouna claimed that Liverpool had been in ‘direct talks’ with Rodrygo’s camp over a possible transfer.
That was however played down by the Athletic’s James Pearce , who reported that Rodrygo is not currently viewed as a replacement for Luis Diaz. The forward is closing in on a move to Bayern Munich.
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Arsenal stance
Arsenal are said to be big fans of Rodrygo, but would need a sale of either Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli for a move to happen this summer, that’s according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Talking to fan channel Latte Firm , he said: “I think Arsenal love Rodrygo, there’s no denying that, but for it to happen, Trossard or Martinelli must depart and the overall package would have to be deemed valuable.
“Andrea Berta proved with Viktor Gyokeres that he can drive prices down; the end deal was actually five million less, and that’s Andrea Berta all over – a bit of a maverick in the market.
“If he says he wants to leave, Real are open to sell for around €90m (£78m, $104.5m), but you’ve got the wage and the agent fees, so Arsenal don’t see a great deal of value in the deal.
“If they’re going to move, they will need to bring in an important fee for either Trossard or Martinelli and secondly, Berta would have to work his magic to try and drive the overall cost of the deal down.”
