Real Madrid Star Becomes Arsenal’s Priority After Setback in Williams Chase | OneFootball

Rodrygo on Arsenal’s Radar as Barcelona Swoop for Nico Williams

Barcelona’s Move Sparks a Ripple

As the Club World Cup unfolds for Europe’s twelve “chosen” clubs, the rest of the continent’s elite are already plotting their summer transfer business. The market may not be officially open, but the dominoes are beginning to fall, and few pieces are as pivotal as Nico Williams. AS Sport reports that Barcelona’s “strong bid to sign Nico Williams” has not only shaken the Athletic Club winger’s current suitors but has forced Arsenal to adjust their plans.

It’s the classic “butterfly effect” of modern football. One high-profile move opens another door, and this time, that door leads to Madrid. With Williams likely heading to Camp Nou, the Gunners are shifting their gaze towards Brazil international Rodrygo. The Real Madrid forward, described by AS Sport as “a key player in the Real Madrid transfer market,” now features prominently in Arsenal’s wishlist.

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Yet ambition meets reality. Rodrygo is under contract until 2028, with a salary package of seven to eight million euros net per season, a figure that would top Arsenal’s wage structure. Combine that with a transfer fee likely to exceed €90 million, and the London club’s hopes begin to look more like a fantasy than a forecast.

Arteta’s Attack Needs a Lift

Mikel Arteta has pinpointed four areas for reinforcement this summer: striker, left-wing, central midfield, and centre-back. The midfield vacancy appears close to being filled by Martin Zubimendi, but the winger dilemma remains unresolved.

Until recently, that spot looked earmarked for Nico Williams. But with Barcelona entering the scene and the Basque winger’s entourage suggesting a potential €8 million net salary, Arsenal have pulled back. AS Sport confirms the Gunners “have not entered the bidding process.”

The alternative? Rodrygo. A versatile and technically gifted player who has filled multiple roles at Real Madrid, the São Paulo-born forward embodies what Arteta demands—flexibility, flair, and fearlessness. “Rodrygo would be a perfect fit for Arteta,” the report notes. With Vinicius Jr firmly established on Madrid’s left, Rodrygo has operated wide right, central, and even as a false nine—ironically, the very area where Arteta has “invented” roles for players like Mikel Merino.

Wage Restraint Meets Transfer Ambition

Arsenal’s transfer drive in recent years has been bold—€700 million spent across four seasons—but now restraint rules. Financial discipline is biting. The Emirates board has clearly decided that the club must start balancing its books without weakening Arteta’s hand.

This is evident in how the Gunners view their current wide options. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard may have featured frequently, but doubts linger. Martinelli, still only 24, is not untouchable. If a strong offer arrives, Arsenal will listen. Trossard, meanwhile, is a conundrum. Now 30, deployed as a centre forward at times, and seeking a contract renewal with “a significant increase in his emoluments,” he represents both utility and potential instability.

So Arsenal walk a tightrope. They want to evolve the squad without destabilising it. Their financial model supports competitiveness, not extravagance. Declan Rice is the club’s highest earner at around £300,000 gross per week, but even he falls short of the Premier League’s elite in raw salary terms. No Arsenal player, according to some reports, features in the division’s top ten highest-paid.

To bring in Rodrygo, they would need to rewrite that script.

Madrid’s Man for All Roles

While the logistics are complex, the football logic is sound. Rodrygo is precisely the sort of player Arteta builds systems around. His capacity to adapt—left, right, centre—makes him ideal for an Arsenal attack that has at times looked disjointed and blunt.

At Real Madrid, Rodrygo’s role has been dictated by Vinicius Jr’s brilliance. Still, when asked to shift into other areas, the Brazilian has impressed. Even his recent Club World Cup outing—where he was substituted at half-time—showcased his value, with a clever assist for Madrid’s goal against Al Hilal.

The Spanish giants may not be desperate to sell, but the market might dictate otherwise. AS Sport hint that Madrid’s summer business could involve departures, and Rodrygo, while appreciated, is not untouchable. Much depends on the views of Xabi Alonso, now a key figure in the capital.

As the window looms, one thing is clear: Rodrygo is going to be a key player. If Arsenal want him, they’ll need to do more than admire from afar.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Rodrygo to Arsenal? Now that would be something. After years of chasing wide attackers who flatter to deceive, the idea of bringing in someone of Rodrygo’s calibre feels like an upgrade with substance. He is proven at the highest level, he is only 23, and he has that mix of speed, intelligence and big-game experience that Arsenal’s current front line lacks.

Sure, the price is eye-watering. The salary demands would test the club’s structure, and Real Madrid won’t be letting him go without a fight. But as fans, we’ve seen the club spend big before—on Rice, on Havertz. Why not go again, this time for a player who genuinely adds something different?

Nico Williams would have been a solid signing. But if we’re serious about challenging City and making our mark in Europe, we have to act like a club ready to compete. Rodrygo could be that statement. Whether we get him or not, just being in the conversation shows Arsenal are aiming higher.