Arsenal should step up their attempts to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo this summer, according to his Brazil team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes.
Rodrygo has emerged as a top target for the Gunners, who are looking to add firepower to a team that has finished second in the Premier League three seasons running.
A new striker is the priority but a versatile attacking player is also wanted by manager Mikel Arteta.
Rodrygo put big clubs across Europe on alert when he reportedly told Madrid he never wanted to play for them again having refused to feature in last month’s El Clasico against Barcelona.
The Brazilian winger was said to be upset about playing a secondary role behind superstar team-mates Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, and was increasingly warming the bench under Carlo Ancelotti last season.
Los Blancos would demand a significant fee if they are to part ways with Rodrygo, believed to be somewhere in the region of £70m.
Rodrygo has reportedly been approached by multiple Premier League clubs including Arsenal
Gabriel Magalhaes (left) has encouraged Arsenal to make a serious move for the player
Rodrygo (right) and Gabriel (left) know each other well from the Brazilian national team
And Gabriel thinks his compatriot would be more than worth the money for the north London outfit.
‘I don’t know,’ he responded when asked by the Podpah Podcast if Rodrygo would be arriving at the Emirates this summer.
‘But I’d like obviously. He’s a phenomenon. ‘I’ve told people already, he’s a phenomenon! If it was up to me, of course!’
Rodrygo has developed into an integral player for Madrid since joining from Brazilian side Santos for €45million (£37.9m) in 2019.
The forward, who has also won 33 caps for Brazil, doesn’t have the profile of stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr but he still has an impressive record at the Bernabeu.
The 24-year-old has 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances for the Spanish giants but a difficult campaign has led to reports of a move away.
