Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has personally earmarked one Real Madrid star as a “key” potential signing for the Gunners, with their transfer plans taking shape ahead of this summer window.
Arsenal identify striker targets after injury blows
Their failure to bring in a new number nine in January is having serious repercussions, with Arteta desperately short of striking options after both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were ruled out for the remainder of this Premier League campaign through injury.
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The Gunners could look to raid Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
Their lack of options meant emergency makeshift centre-forward Mikel Merino had to come off the bench to rescue a 2-0 win away to Leicester City with two goals in the last 10 minutes last weekend, and Arteta will be keen to avoid such desperate scenarios like that next season.
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Arsenal’s next five Premier League games |
Date |
|---|---|
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West Ham (home) |
February 22nd |
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Nottingham Forest (away) |
February 26th |
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Man Utd (away) |
March 9th |
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Chelsea (home) |
March 16th |
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Fulham (home) |
April 1st |
Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké, a very left-field option in ex-Liverpool star Roberto Firmino and Real Madrid starlet Endrick are all strikers being considered by Arsenal, according to various reports.
A prolific frontman has long been tipped as the missing piece of Arteta’s jigsaw, but injuries to Havertz and Jesus have only highlighted just how imperative it is that they sign one this summer.
Arsenal’s links to Endrick come as intriguing when factoring in his promise, despite not being a key regular under Carlo Ancelotti, but it is now believed that Arteta’s side could look to raid the Bernabeu for another far more pivotal attacker.
Arteta earmarks Rodrygo as key potential Arsenal signing
According to a Spanish media source, Arsenal are keen on an audacious swoop for Real’s star forward Rodrygo.
The Brazil international, rumoured to command a price tag of around £83 million, has scored 12 goals in all competitions, including four in the Champions League, and it is believed Arteta has personally identified Rodrygo as a “key” potential Arsenal signing.
The 24-year-old’s ability stretches far beyond scoring goals and registering assists in the final third, as was on full display in Real’s 3-1 win at home to Man City on Wednesday, and it is clear why Arsenal’s manager is interested.
“Rodrygo has such quality that, when you see him, you get the impression that playing football is something easy,” said former Brazil boss Tite.
“Because he has a highly developed technique. He is very fine, 24and he is a talent that has been developed for many years in the Brazilian youth teams.
“And that he is conquering his space within Real Madrid. Rodrygo makes the field wider, opens the spaces, creates holes for his teammates. He is a modern and versatile player, who provides more alternatives for the coaching staff. In Santos he played on both wings, in Real Madrid he has joined on the right and has been developing very well, mainly in one-on-one, where he is very strong.”