Arsenal make shock enquiry to sign £85m Real Madrid star

Arsenal have opened talks to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo in the summer transfer window.

Rodrygo, 24, has scored 68 goals in 267 appearances for Madrid and helped the club win 13 pieces of silverware across a trophy-laden six-year spell in the Spanish capital.

But Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham have all outscored Rodrygo and stolen much of the limelight this season, with the Brazilian netting just six times in La Liga across a disappointing 2024/25 campaign in front of goal.

Though there are still three years remaining on Rodrygo’s contract at the Bernabeu, Madrid-based publication Relevo suggest the winger’s future is ‘up in the air’.

The report states that Los Blancos are buckling up for their ‘busiest summer of the decade’ after a disappointing end to the season, with a flurry of high-profile arrivals and departures expected over the coming months.

The Spanish champions would be open to selling Rodrygo and the attacker will make a decision on his future after speaking with Xabi Alonso, who is expected to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season.

While Manchester City are known to be long-term admirers of the three-time La Liga winner, Arsenal have jumped to the front of the queue and enquired about the Brazil international ‘in recent days’.

It’s claimed Madrid will be demanding a fee in the region of €100million (£85m) for the former Santos man.

The Gunners have decided to prioritise strengthening their attack in the summer after once again falling short in the Premier League.

Season-ending injuries to both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have only intensified talk of the club’s supposed lack of firepower up front – and a host of high-profile forwards have been linked with the north London outfit in recent weeks and months.

A recent report from Marca claimed Rodrygo was going through ‘his toughest time’ at Madrid and had been ‘locked away in his house thinking about his future’.

Rodrygo was said to be feeling undervalued and had been ‘thinking for a few months that his time with Madrid is coming to an end’.

In 2024, Rodrygo revealed that he turned down the chance to join Arsenal’s rivals Liverpool after bursting onto the scene as a youngster at Santos.

‘We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to,’ he told The Guardian.

‘I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good. The pathway they promised me would also have been very good for my career.

‘I was going to finish my studies in England to prepare for European football.

‘It had always been my dream to play in Europe. Everything was very good, but my desire spoke louder. I wanted to stay at Santos and make a bit of history at the club.

‘And that’s what happened: I was able to fulfil my dream of playing for Santos. But it’s true, I almost went to Liverpool.’