Arsenal learn Rodrygo price tag and two rival clubs keen to sign Madrid star

Brazil international forward Rodrygo faces being cast aside by Real Madrid, where his future is far from certain after being left on the outside looking in so far under new boss Xabi Alonso, with a transfer seen as increasingly likely

Arsenal will have to pay well in excess of £70m to land Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo. And they could face competition from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain which would see the price shoot up further.

Brazil winger Rodrygo is likely to be sacrificed by the Spanish giants this summer and is a primary target for Arsenal as they look to strengthen their attacking options this summer.

Rodrygo, 24, has been a bit-part player at the Club World Cup and has played just 23 minutes of their last three games and could be sold to help balance the books. But Arsenal will not be able to do it on the cheap and any potential deal is likely to be drawn out with other clubs interested in one of the top talents in Spain.

It comes as Nico Williams snubbed Barcelona to stay at Athletic Bilbao with Arsenal and Bayern previously keen on the Spain international.

Arsenal have also been looking at other options but sporting director Andrea Berta is making a name for himself as a club executive who lines up several deals and only then does he proceed with the No.1 target.

That has left Arsenal fans frustrated with their striker chase as they still have RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres in the mix. They have also been looking at Crystal Palace ’s Eberechi Eze and there is clear interest in an England star with a £68m release clause.

But their winger chase is becoming more complicated and they have even looked at Chelsea ’s Noni Madueke which would be a big shift from the likes of Rodrygo and Williams.

However, Arsenal are also trying to do a striker deal, they have already agreed a £51m deal for Martin Zubimendi, they have done a £5m deal for Kepa Arrizabalaga and have lined up a move for Brentford’s Christian Norgaard. That means Arsenal will struggle to pay for all their big-money targets which explains the dilemma over Sesko and also the winger chase.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have mutually agreed to terminate the contract of Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu who has been plagued by injuries throughout his time at the club after joining in 2021. He is currently out until the New Year.

Tomiyasu, 26, a hugely popular figure at the club, is believed to have been upset personally about missing so many games and felt incredibly guilty while Arsenal have now reached a termination agreement.

In an emotional statement, Tomiyasu said: “Obviously, I have got many things to say, but the thing that I want to tell you guys the most is just thank you for the love you guys gave me.”

His words on social media immediately drew support from teammates, including Declan Rice.