Manchester City Clear-Out: Arsenal Target in €100M Transfer?

The Citizens of Manchester are the latest club understood to have registered an interest in Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

It’s believed that Xabi Alonso considered employing his 3-5-2 formation at Real Madrid during the Club World Cup, potentially viewing the Brazilian winger as less essential to his plans.

Rodrygo, currently positioned at no.6 in FourFourTwo‘s assessment of the globe’s top right wingers, appears to have experienced a reduction in his prominence at the Bernabeu following Kylian Mbappe’s arrival.

Manchester City to move for Rodrygo

Manchester City Rodrygo of Real Madrid celebrates his assist at the 3-3 during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid v Real Sociedad at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 1, 2025 in Madrid Spain

Manchester City target Rodrygo of Real Madrid celebrates his assist at the 3-3 during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid v Real Sociedad at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 1, 2025 in Madrid Spain (Image credit: Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images)

In the previous season, Rodrygo contributed 14 goals and 11 assists from the right flank within a star-studded Real Madrid squad. It’s understood, however, that his favoured position is on the left wing, but his ascent to prominence has coincided with Vinicius Jr’s, who also operates in that area and currently holds the no.3 spot in FourFourTwo‘s ranking of the world’s best left wingers.

Consequently, Rodrygo has transitioned to the right, and with Mbappe’s signing – a player who also prefers that part of the field – securing playing time in the Spanish capital seems increasingly challenging.

Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring his second goal for Real Madrid against RB Salzburg in the Champions League in January 2025.

Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring his second goal for Real Madrid against RB Salzburg in the Champions League in January 2025. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham have all, at various times, shown significant interest in acquiring him for their Premier League squads, but a transfer has failed to materialize due to differing reasons. Notably, the Gunners are reportedly eager to bolster their options with a left-sided attacker during this summer’s transfer window.

However, Spurs’ recent activity in the transfer market might open the door for Manchester City to make a late move for the player.

The North London team are reportedly considering adding Manchester City’s Savinho to their squad, potentially leading City to seek a replacement in Rodrygo, according to reports attributed to Fabrizio Romano.

Real Madrid will not obstruct his departure should an offer of around €100 million be tabled for the winger, assuming he expresses a clear desire to leave.

Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo are said to have come to blows in Spain

Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo in action together for Real Madrid (Image credit: Getty Images)

It’s widely anticipated that Jack Grealish and James McAtee will both be leaving Manchester City in the coming days. While direct replacements aren’t necessarily needed, an additional player would become essential should Savinho also depart.

He would then join Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri in the list of new arrivals at the Etihad during this summer period.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola embraces Kevin De Bruyne after the team's 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford in April 2025.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola embraces Kevin De Bruyne after the team’s 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford in April 2025. (Image credit: Getty Images)

From FourFourTwo‘s perspective, securing Rodrygo’s services would represent a shrewd move for Pep Guardiola. In recent years, much of the team’s creative output has stemmed from the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne, and his eventual departure will necessitate filling that creative gap.

It’s reasonable to assume that Rodrygo, alongside either Rayan Cherki or Jeremy Doku, would be in the starting eleven for most games, thereby dividing the creative burden between two players instead of relying on a single individual.

Transfermarkt estimates Rodrygo’s value at €90 million.

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