Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has responded to speculation linking the Gunners with Real Madrid star Rodrygo this summer.
It has been well-documented that Arsenal will likely prioritise the addition of a new centre-forward in the summer transfer window and there have been suggestions that they could also look to recruit a new wide forward.
Strikers including Newcastle United‘s Alexander Isak, RB Leipzig‘s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon‘s Viktor Gyokeres have all been listed as possible targets, and the Gunners could go head-to-head with Manchester United to sign the latter.
Amidst suggestions that Gabriel Martinelli could head for the exit door, Arsenal are allegedly ‘seriously considering’ a summer swoop for Brazil international Rodrygo, who has grown unsettled at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Gunners are understood to have held internal talks about a potential move for the 24-year-old, while the likes of Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and Athletic Bilbao‘s Nico Williams are also believed to be on their radar.
Ahead of what could be a busy summer at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta has insisted that his first-team squad is lacking “firepower” and they will look to strengthen ahead of next season.
© Imago
Arteta responds to Rodrygo rumours, confirms Arsenal “need firepower”
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday ahead of Arsenal’s final Premier League game of the season at Southampton on Sunday, Arteta said: “If you want to win major trophies, you have to be the best in the market, no? The teams that win always have the best players.
“I wouldn’t like to name a player (responding to reports linking Arsenal with Rodrygo), but there is pride because we have brought the club into a position that next season people are saying: ‘You have to win a major trophy.’
“And that means that everybody believes, and that we are an elite team in this country and in Europe. The biggest statement is that Arsenal is there.
“What is clear with the amount of injuries that we had in the frontline is that we need a goal threat and we need firepower. Understanding that the context can change tomorrow, we cannot rely just on the numbers that we had before.
“We have to add goals, creativity, and we have to add numbers, and that will be in different positions.”
If Arsenal wish to step up their interest in Rodrygo, Spanish news outlet Cadena SER claims that they will be required to fork out €80m (£67.5m) to persuade Real Madrid to part ways with the versatile attacker, who has recorded 13 goals and 10 assists in 50 games this season.
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