Gabriel Magalhaes urges Arsenal to pursue summer move for Real Madrid ‘phenomenon’ Rodrygo as Brazil team-mate’s future remains uncertain
Arsenal should step up their attempts to sign Real Madrid star Rodrygo this summer, according to his Brazil team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes.
Rodrygo has emerged as a top target for the Gunners, who are looking to add firepower to a team that has finished second in the Premier League three seasons running.
A new striker is the priority but a versatile attacking player is also wanted by manager Mikel Arteta.
Rodrygo put big clubs across Europe on alert when he reportedly told Madrid he never wanted to play for them again having refused to feature in last month’s El Clasico against Barcelona.
The Brazilian winger was said to be upset about playing a secondary role behind superstar team-mates Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham, and was increasingly warming the bench under Carlo Ancelotti last season.
Los Blancos would demand a significant fee if they are to part ways with Rodrygo, believed to be somewhere in the region of £70m.
Rodrygo has reportedly been approached by multiple Premier League clubs including Arsenal
Gabriel Magalhaes (left) has encouraged Arsenal to make a serious move for the player
Rodrygo (right) and Gabriel (left) know each other well from the Brazilian national team
And Gabriel thinks his compatriot would be more than worth the money for the gunners.
‘I don’t know,’ he responded when asked by the Podpah Podcast if Rodrygo would be arriving at the Emirates this summer.
‘But I’d like obviously. He’s a phenomenon. ‘I’ve told people already, he’s a phenomenon! If it was up to me, of course!’
Rodrygo has developed into an integral player for Madrid since joining from Brazilian side Santos for €45million (£37.9m) in 2019.
The forward, who has also won 33 caps for Brazil, may have a lower profile than fellow attackers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr, yet he still has a hugely impressive record at the Bernabeu.
Rodrygo has 68 goals and 50 assists in 267 appearances for Los Blancos but after a difficult campaign, reports have linked him with a move away this summer,
