ARSENAL could make a shock swoop for Rodrygo, it’s been claimed.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to add more firepower to his squad, which is on course for a third-straight second-place Premier League finish, this summer.
AFPArsenal boss Mikel Arteta is in the market for a new forward this summer[/caption]
GETTYThe Spaniard is said to be a fan of Real Madrid ace Rodrygo[/caption]
The Gunners’ Prem and Champions League challenges fell short following devastating injuries to forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
The north Londoners are reportedly keen on signing Sporting Lisbon ace Viktor Gyokeres, who is also on the radar of their domestic rivals Manchester United.
But according to reports, they’re also interested in signing Rodrygo from Real Madrid.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim Arteta is a “fan” of the Brazilian winger, who can also play up front.
Rodrygo has enjoyed a stellar season with Los Blancos, scoring 13 goals and notching 10 assists in 50 appearances.
The 24-year-old is well aware of the intense speculation surrounding his future.
But he’s seemingly pledged his allegiance to Real, recently sharing a photo of the Bernabeu to his Instagram story with “Vamos Real” emblazoned across it.
The Emirates faithful were left frustrated by Arteta’s failure to sign a new striker in January, which ultimately came back to haunt him.
Mikel Arteta’s striker shopping list
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta splashed out £204.5m last summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But the Spanish manager accepts he needs a proven goalscorer to take the club to the next level.
And here are the players he is looking at to get the Gunners firing:
BENJAMIN SESKO (RB Leipzig, value £40m-£45m)
One for the future at 20 years old. Scored 16 goals for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and the Slovenian has carried on that good form in Germany with Leipzig this campaign.
VIKTOR GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon, value £60m-£80m)
Been scouted several times this season. The Swedish striker, 25, is more of a traditional No 9 so may not suit Arsenal’s demand for flexibility but would bring a physicality that boss Mikel Arteta craves.
ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle, value £75m-£85m)
Impressed in his first two seasons in English football. The Swede, 24, has the pace and finesse to match his finishing ability, and Eddie Howe’s Toon may need to sell to balance the books this summer.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (Bologna, value £45m-£50m)
Dutch wonder is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe. At 6ft 4in the 22-year-old forward would have no trouble adapting to the Premier League and already has an eye for goal.
XAVI SIMONS (RB Leipzig, value £70m-£80m)
An incredible talent in the Bukayo Saka mould, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The future of the Dutch attacker, 20, depends on how much money his parent club want to make from him.
But the Spaniard has promised a “big” transfer window ahead of the 2025/26 season.
“It’s going to be a big one and we are very excited about it.
“The way we planned the first five summers, they were going to be very big and they were going to have different objectives.
“Because the turnaround of players and the objective of those windows was going to be different.
“But now, when you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad.
“But as well, we want to increase the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.”
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