CRAZY DEAL: Man Utd wants to spend €120M to free Rodrygo over Arsenal but Florentino Perez ready to ‘steal’ Garnacho to increase Real Madrid’s attack
This summer, Manchester United is poised to bolster its attacking lineup with the addition of a forward player, a move necessitated by the perceived lack of potency in their offense during Rasmus Hojlund’s absence. While the acquisition of a striker seems inevitable, there’s an argument to be made for the necessity of a wide forward as well, given the underperformance of Antony, uncertainty surrounding Jadon Sancho’s future, and Omari Forson’s failure to impress.
Reports from Spanish outlet Sport suggest that Manchester United is closely monitoring the situation of Rodrygo at Real Madrid. The Brazilian forward’s position within the team is expected to face further competition next season with the arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, the 23-year-old Brazilian has been a pivotal figure for Los Blancos, featuring in 41 matches across various competitions, scoring 13 goals, and providing eight assists. Despite signing a contract extension with Real Madrid in November, which ties him to the club until 2028, both Arsenal and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Rodrygo’s situation in the Spanish capital, anticipating a potential opportunity to secure his services.
However, the pursuit of Rodrygo might come with a significant financial hurdle, as Real Madrid reportedly values him at €100 million. This price tag could pose a challenge for English clubs in their pursuit of the versatile forward.
Rodrygo has showcased his ability to operate in different attacking positions, primarily featuring as a striker alongside Vinicius Junior this season, with Jude Bellingham occupying the number 10 role. Despite his effectiveness in various roles, Rodrygo has expressed a preference for wider positions, indicating his discomfort playing as a central striker.
Real Madrid’s tactical adjustments under head coach Carlo Ancelotti, including a shift to a 4-3-1-2 formation, have influenced Rodrygo’s role within the team. Furthermore, with ongoing speculation surrounding Kylian Mbappe’s potential move to Real Madrid, the dynamics of the team’s attacking setup for the upcoming season remain uncertain.
Both Arsenal and Manchester United are actively seeking reinforcements in their forward positions. While Arsenal aims to upgrade from Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, Manchester United seeks to provide support for Rasmus Hojlund, their primary recognized striker at the senior level.
As Rodrygo participates in friendly matches with the Brazil national team against England and Spain, his future continues to be a subject of intense speculation. Arsenal and Manchester United closely monitor developments as they devise their summer transfer strategies.
Meanwhile, a report suggests that Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho dreams of one day playing for Real Madrid.