Arsenal, Man Utd lock horns over Real Madrid’s Rodrygo
Arsenal and Manchester United are both seeking to sign Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo during this summer’s transfer window.
The 23-year-old has been a vital player for Los Blancos during the 2023-24 campaign, making 41 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 times and registering eight assists in the process.
Rodrygo, who moved to Bernabeu from Santos in July 2019, only penned a new contract at Bernabeu last November, with his current terms due to run until June 2028.
The Brazil international has made 206 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions, scoring 50 goals and registering 40 assists, winning two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup during a highly-successful period.
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However, according to Defensa Central, both Arsenal and Man United are keeping a close eye on his situation in the Spanish capital, with the English duo believing that he may become available for transfer.
The report claims that Real Madrid value Rodrygo at €120m (£102.8m), which could ultimately price him out of a move to the Premier League.
Rodrygo is capable of operating in a number of positions in the final third of the field, but he has mainly played as a striker this season alongside Vinicius Junior, with Jude Bellingham featuring as the number 10.
Last October, the Brazil international admitted that he ‘does not like’ playing through the middle.
“I have always made it clear that I have the ability to play on the wings, I simply don’t like playing as a nine, although in my club I have to do it. With Brazil I have more freedom to move,” he told Marca.
Karim Benzema’s surprise departure last summer, and the arrival of Bellingham, led to Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti changing to a 4-3-1-2 formation this season.
Kylian Mbappe is widely expected to move to Bernabeu at the end of the season when his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires, and it remains to be seen how Real Madrid line up at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
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Both Arsenal and Man United are in the market for new forwards this summer, with the Gunners looking for an upgrade on Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, while the Red Devils need to bring in support for Rasmus Hojlund, who is currently the club’s only recognised striker at senior level.
Brentford’s Ivan Toney had been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, but the interest has seemingly cooled, while Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is being tipped to join PSG in a big-money deal.
Rodrygo is currently with the Brazil squad preparing for the glamour friendlies against England and Spain, with the South American giants taking on the Three Lions at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.