Arsenal ‘are still keen on Real Madrid star Rodrygo and ready to make a move – but only on one condition’ as Mikel Arteta seeks to strengthen attack further

For months now, Arsenal fans have been glued to every bit of transfer gossip, every rumour, every whisper that comes out of Spain. And at the centre of it all is one name — Rodrygo Goes. The 24-year-old Brazilian, who not too long ago was one of Real Madrid’s brightest attacking jewels, now finds himself in a strange, unsettled situation at the Bernabeu. It is a situation that has attracted the eyes of Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board. But there is a twist. Arsenal are not willing to throw cash around recklessly this summer, and they have made it very clear that there is only one scenario in which Rodrygo will be wearing red and white in North London — and that is if Real Madrid agree to let him go on loan. Anything else, and the Gunners will walk away.

Rodrygo’s story in Madrid has been one of highs, lows, and now, uncertainty. When he arrived from Santos in Brazil back in 2019 for €45million (£37.9m), the excitement around him was huge. A teenager with blistering pace, silky dribbling, and the ability to score important goals — he seemed destined to be part of Real’s future for the next decade. And for a while, that was the case. He developed into a regular starter, playing in the Champions League, scoring in big games, and even becoming a fan favourite for his work rate and creativity. But football is cruel, and in Madrid, things can change overnight.

Last summer, everything shifted when Real Madrid pulled off one of the biggest signings in football history — Kylian Mbappe. His arrival, alongside the presence of Vinicius Jr., meant Rodrygo suddenly had to fight harder than ever for his place. And as the season wore on, it became clear that he was slipping down the pecking order. It wasn’t about talent — Rodrygo was still a top player — but in a team full of stars, opportunities became limited.

Things reached a boiling point in May. Ahead of a huge El Clasico against Barcelona, reports emerged that Rodrygo had told the club he never wanted to play for them again. It was a shocking claim, one that stunned the fanbase. Then, to make matters worse, Carlo Ancelotti — the manager at the time — left him out of the squad for the game. From that moment, Rodrygo’s season seemed over.

Fast forward to this summer and a new chapter began at Madrid, with Xabi Alonso taking over as head coach. Many thought Rodrygo would get a fresh start, but reality proved different. He started Los Blancos’ first match at the Club World Cup, but then barely featured again, playing only 27 more minutes for the rest of the competition. Alonso’s explanation was simple but telling — football is about game-by-game decisions, and in those games, he felt another player was needed. That was it. No promises. No assurances about the future.

For a player who has given Madrid 68 goals and 51 assists in 270 appearances, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Rodrygo is in his prime years now, and every minute on the bench feels like time wasted. This is why Arsenal’s interest makes so much sense. Arteta is building a squad that is hungry, versatile, and capable of challenging for the Premier League and the Champions League. And Rodrygo, with his skill set, could fit perfectly into that vision.

But there is a major stumbling block — money. Real Madrid value him at €90m (£77m). That is a huge fee, especially when you consider that Arsenal have already spent big this summer, bringing in Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP and Noni Madueke from Chelsea. On top of the transfer fee, Rodrygo’s wages are also very high, something that could disrupt Arsenal’s carefully balanced salary structure. For these reasons, the Gunners cooled their pursuit earlier in the window.

Now, however, the door is slightly open again — but only if Madrid agree to a loan deal. This would allow Arsenal to strengthen their attack without committing huge funds right away, and it would give Rodrygo the playing time he desperately needs before deciding his long-term future. According to The Times, Arsenal have made it clear that this is their only condition for moving forward.

The situation has shades of other high-profile loan moves we’ve seen in recent years — temporary deals that sometimes lead to permanent transfers if things go well. But there is no guarantee Madrid will agree to it. They may prefer to sell outright to raise funds for their own transfer plans, or they may try to keep Rodrygo as part of their rotation. Much will depend on Alonso’s vision for the team and whether he sees the Brazilian as essential or expendable.

In the meantime, Arsenal are not putting all their eggs in one basket. Reports say they will also approach Crystal Palace over a potential move for Eberechi Eze, the England international whose creativity and dribbling have made him one of the Premier League’s most exciting players. If Arsenal could somehow bring in both Rodrygo and Eze, it would send a strong signal that they are going all-in for trophies this season.

Arteta, speaking ahead of the club’s friendly against Athletic Club this Saturday, knows the importance of momentum. The Gunners begin their Premier League campaign next week at Old Trafford against Manchester United — a tough opener that could set the tone for the season. With Gyokeres and Madueke already in, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli still in place, adding someone like Rodrygo would give Arsenal frightening attacking depth.

But this story is not just about transfers and tactics. It’s also about pride, ambition, and timing. Rodrygo’s pride has taken a hit at Madrid. To go from being a regular starter to barely getting minutes is a humbling experience for any player, especially at 24. For Arsenal, the ambition is clear — they want to push past the heartbreak of recent seasons and win major honours again. And the timing? Well, the timing is everything. Transfer windows don’t last forever. The loan deal has to be negotiated now, or Arsenal risk losing out to another club willing to meet Madrid’s demands.

Behind the scenes, agents, directors, and intermediaries are working non-stop. Real Madrid’s stance will be key. If they agree to a loan with an option to buy, Arsenal might have the deal of the summer. If they refuse, the Gunners will walk away, and Rodrygo will have to decide whether to fight for his place in Spain or seek another escape route.

Fans on both sides are watching closely. Madrid supporters are divided — some believe Rodrygo still has much to offer and should be kept, while others think the club should cash in and move on. Arsenal fans, on the other hand, are imagining the possibilities — Rodrygo linking up with Saka, Odegaard pulling the strings, Gyokeres leading the line, and a team that can hurt any opponent from every angle.

Xabi Alonso’s words after the Club World Cup may not have been meant to spark transfer rumours, but they certainly haven’t helped to cool them down. His comments about “needing another player” and “no decisions about the future” have left the door wide open for speculation. And in football, an open door is all it takes for the rumour mill to spin into overdrive.

For now, everything hangs in the balance. Rodrygo trains, Arsenal prepare, Madrid wait. The only certainty is that this is a transfer saga with all the ingredients — a star player unhappy at his club, a big Premier League side ready to pounce, financial obstacles, and a ticking clock. By the time Arsenal kick off at Old Trafford next weekend, the picture might be very different. Rodrygo could be on the bench for Madrid, he could be on a plane to London, or he could be stuck in limbo, wondering what comes next.

And as the days pass, you can’t help but feel this is a story where all sides are playing a game of poker. Arsenal are holding their cards close — no permanent deal unless it’s on their terms. Madrid are keeping theirs hidden too — do they really want to let go of a player with so much talent, or are they just waiting for the right offer? And Rodrygo? He’s the one caught in the middle, hoping the cards fall in his favour before the window shuts.

One thing is certain: if Arsenal manage to pull this off, even on loan, it will be a major statement in the Premier League. It will be Arteta showing that he can attract world-class talent, even in complicated situations. And it will give Rodrygo the stage to prove, once again, why he was considered one of the most exciting forwards of his generation.

Until then, we wait — because in football, the biggest moves often happen when you least expect them. And this one has all the makings of a deadline day twist.