Arsenal are reportedly setting their sights on Real Madrid’s dazzling forward Rodrygo, as Mikel Arteta’s plans to revamp his attack take shape. With the Gunners narrowly missing out on the Premier League title for the third consecutive year, Arteta is determined to inject fresh firepower into his squad this summer.
The North London club has been linked with a slew of attacking talents, with a marquee striker topping their wishlist. While Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres was initially rumored to be Arsenal’s primary target, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has now emerged as a frontrunner in Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta’s strategy. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak remains the dream acquisition, but his hefty price tag makes the deal unlikely.
On the flanks, Arsenal’s radar is buzzing with names like Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane, and, notably, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. Landing the Brazilian international would undoubtedly be a statement of intent, and Sky Sports reports that Arsenal have expressed ‘interest’ in the 21-year-old maestro.
Arteta has reportedly identified a left-winger and a striker as his ‘priority positions,’ with a range of options under consideration. Berta is currently in the process of ‘gathering information’ to prioritize which deals to pursue aggressively.
The report also unveils Arsenal’s four-man shortlist for the wing, featuring Nico Williams, Leroy Sane, Morgan Rogers, and Rodrygo. Arteta is evidently seeking proven quality to elevate his squad’s attacking dynamics.
Rodrygo, who still has three years left on his contract, is set to discuss his future with incoming Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso. However, his role at the Bernabeu appears uncertain following the high-profile arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and the emergence of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham as key figures.
On the striker front, Arteta’s targets include Isak, Gyokeres, and Sesko. Newcastle, buoyed by their Champions League qualification, are reportedly ‘confident’ of retaining Isak, though Liverpool’s interest adds a layer of intrigue to the saga.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are weighing up whether to trigger Nico Williams’ £43million release clause. Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte has made no secret of his desire to keep the Spanish winger, describing him as a vital part of the club’s ‘winning project.’
“We have a project that is exciting for everyone, and Nico is a key piece of that,” Uriarte told El Correo. “Keeping our core players makes this journey easier, and I believe Nico and the team have an incredible year ahead.”
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