Agreement reached: Arsenal finally reached an agreement with long-term transfer target as the superstar agrees personal terms to join the Gunners
Football might have stopped for a few months, but the powers that be at Arsenal can’t afford to take a break.
The transfer window is here, and with it, the Gunners have the chance to close the gap between Premier League rivals Liverpool.
However, while the impending signing of Martin Zubimendi is undoubtedly exciting, Mikel Arteta and Co need to add some attacking stardust to the team, as the Reds look intent on bringing the incredible Florian Wirtz to Anfield in the coming weeks.
Fortunately, recent reports have linked the North Londoners with another international superstar who has won comparisons to the German monster and could, therefore, be their answer to him.
Arsenal transfer news
Before we get to the superstar in question, it’s worth looking at some other exciting attackers who have been touted for a move to Arsenal in recent weeks, like Rafael Leao and Ademola Lookman.
The former could cost up to a staggering £145m thanks to a release clause in his contract, but with a tally of 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 games this season, he’d undoubtedly improve the Gunners’ frontline.
Lookman, on the other hand, would cost far less at around £55m but has actually been even more impressive than the Portuguese international this season, racking up a haul of 20 goals and seven assists in 40 games for Atalanta.
Yet, to match a signing like Wirtz, Arteta and Co need someone of comparable significance in the eyes of football fans, someone like Rodrygo.
Yes, according to a recent report from Spanish outlet AS, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Real Madrid superstar.
In fact, the report claims that alongside other suitors like Manchester City and Chelsea, the Gunners are now ‘moving’ for the talented winger, who is awaiting a conversation with new manager Xabi Alonso to determine his future at the club.
The report does not mention a potential price, but according to other stories last month, the former Santos star could be available for around £85m.
It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rodrygo’s immense ability and stature in the game, this is a transfer Arsenal should fight for, especially as he’s won comparisons with Wirtz.
Why Rodrygo could be Arsenal’s answer to Wirtz
So, before we go into the other reasons why Rodrygo could be Arsenal’s answer to Wirtz this summer, it’s important to examine this comparison to the German and where it even comes from.
In this instance, it stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, before creating a list of the ten most comparable players.
By doing this, it has been concluded that the Bayer Leverkusen star is the seventh most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Real ace across the last 365 days.
The best way to see how this is worked out is by taking a look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including but not limited to progressive carries, goals per shot, key passes, crosses, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.
However, besides having some undeniably statistical similarities to the Bundesliga winner, the “terrifyingly good” Brazilian, as dubbed by journalist Sam Tighe, would also be moving to one of next season’s Premier League challengers.
Moreover, as the 24-year-old would be moving to the Emirates from Los Blancos, it would have a similar project-defining feel and be just as much of a statement as the Merseysides signing the Pulheim-born gem.
Ultimately, while it wouldn’t be cheap, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Rodrygo this summer, as it would be an unmistakable signal to their title rivals that they are not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.
