Real Madrid forward Rodrygo is now reportedly ‘high’ on Arsenal’s shortlist for the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta’s side look to kick on next season.
The Gunners are five days into the initial 10-day period of the summer window open before the FIFA Club World Cup starts, and are yet to complete a deal.
According to Sky Sports, sporting director Andrea Berta is gathering intelligence on a select number of possible targets before any single one is approached.
As well as the recruitment of a striker and Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, it would appear other attacking reinforcements will be a priority and Rodrygo is regarded highly, as per this latest report.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed eight years in the Spanish capital, winning 13 major honours whilst making 267 appearances. In that time 68 goals and 50 assists have been recorded.
However, Rodrygo’s game time in the recent campaign took a hit with the Brazilian falling down the pecking order under former boss Carlo Ancelotti.
On the surface, that is a positive sign for Mikel Arteta, who might be able to offer up a solution to the winger as the Gunners look to reinvent their attack , but this brief transfer window is a rapidly developing one and already halfway through, Arsenal have a very short timeframe to work in.
Real Madrid’s stance is already said to be that they won’t sell, at least according to SER, and have slapped an £84m price tag on their player for anybody who would dare to try.
Failing to move for Rodrygo before June 10 would then likely mean new manager Xabi Alonso is adding him to his squad to take to the United States for FIFA’s revamped tournament.
That could rule out up to a month until the Spanish giants are again willing to do business, by which time Arteta will already want his own players ready for pre-season training.
It could become a messy pursuit for a player who would undoubtedly add great quality to the Gunners before entering his prime years, but timings involved may prevent a clear path from opening.
If this were to not work out, Sky claim alternative targets for the role to be Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao, Leroy Sane who is soon running out of contract with Bayern Munich and Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa.
