Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted that reports linking the club with a sensational summer move for Real Madrid star Rodrygo may be genuine.
Rodrygo, 24, has developed into an integral player for Real since joining from Brazilian side Santos for €45million (£37.9m) in 2019.
The forward, who has also won 33 caps for Brazil, may have a lower profile than fellow attackers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr, yet he still has a hugely impressive record at the Bernabeu.
Rodrygo has 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances for Los Blancos but after a difficult campaign for Real, reports have linked him with a move away this summer.
Sky Sports Germany claimed Arsenal are in talks with the 24-year-old over a move and that he is at the top of their list of targets on the wing, although he has also been touted with a move to Man City, Man United and Liverpool.
And Arteta was pressed on these reports on Thursday ahead of Arsenal’s final game of the campaign against Southampton this weekend.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has teased a summer move for Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Rodrygo
Rodrgyo has 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances, but he may soon depart Real
Arsenal are looking for attacking reinforcements this summer as they look to take the next step
‘If you want to win titles, you have to be the best in the market,’ Arteta said as he refused to confirm or deny the links. ‘The teams that win have the best players.
‘It’s a matter of pride. It shows we’ve brought the club to a level where people expect us to challenge for trophies.
‘What is clear with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat and we need firepower.
‘Understanding that the context can change tomorrow, we cannot rely just on the numbers that we had before.
‘We have to add goals, creativity, and we have to add numbers, and that will be in different positions.’
Arsenal have struggled in attacking areas this season, with the Gunners’ 14 draws a major reason as to why they haven’t won the Premier League title.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard have also spent significant periods out with injury and midfielder Mikel Merino has been forced to play as a makeshift striker for much of the second half of the campaign, meaning a move for Rodrygo could help the Gunners take the next step.
The Brazilian has netted 13 goals and 10 assists in 50 games in 2024-25, but he hasn’t featured since Real’s Copa del Rey final defeat by Barcelona last month.
Arteta insisted that if Arsenal want to win titles then they ‘have to be the best in the market’
Some reports have claimed Rodrygo (right of huddle) has grown frustrated at Real Madrid
Some reports in Spain have claimed Rodrygo wants to depart this summer, with AS claiming the forward – who will be available for around £84m (€100m) – is unhappy at the level of media attention diverted away from him and towards Mbappe and Jude Bellingham instead.
Meanwhile, alongside Rodrygo, the Gunners have a big window ahead with a new striker at the top of sporting director Andrea Berta’s list.
Both Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are firmly on the north London club’s radar.
Either player would cost in excess of £60m, in addition to the expected arrival of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad who reportedly has a £51m release clause.
And ahead of last weekend’s win over Newcastle, Arteta hinted the club may have to spend beyond their budget if they’re to bring in the players they require.
‘The budget is like when you have your wedding: you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and it’s never less, it’s always more,’ he said.
‘When you build a house, it’s always more. Normally this happens. You prepare for different scenarios. Then unfortunate things happen.
‘There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let’s see if we can do it.’
