Arsenal remain on the transfer hunt for a new attacker this summer.
Mikel Arteta is aiming to bolster his forward line after finishing second in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign outlined the Gunners shortcomings in front of goal in dramatic fashion.
Despite missing the majority of the season run-in through injury, Kai Havertz still ended the campaign as top scorer with just nine top-flight goals, and 15 in all competitions.
That has sharpened Arteta's desire to bring in a new striker, but deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have failed to yield a breakthrough so far, and sporting director Andrea Berta is looking at alternatives.
With Arsenal reportedly unwilling to match Sporting CP and RB Leipzig's valuations of Gyokeres and Sesko respectively, Arteta could opt for a multi-functional players, as opposed to an outright No.9.
Arteta prefers to share the goals across his forward players, and that plan could be revived, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes back on his radar.
Rodrygo faces a crucial call over his Real Madrid future in the coming weeks with the Brazil international remaining on the fringes of Xabi Alonso's plans for 2025/26.
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Rodrygo Goes to Arsenal transfer latest as Xabi Alonso freezes out Real Madrid star
Arsenal flagged up their interest in Rodrgyo prior to Real Madrid's flight out to the FIFA Club World Cup at the start of June.
The Los Blancos No.11 informed Alonso he wanted to utilise the USA tournament as an opportunity to prove himself to the new boss and fight for his place in the squad.
Alonso accepted the request, despite the swirling rumours over an exit plan, labelling Rodrygo as an 'important player' in his squad ahead of their opening 1-1 draw with Al Hilal.
However, Alonso's actions at the Club World Cup speak louder than his words, with the Al Hilal game registering as Rodrygo's sole start in the US.
He was substituted after 65 minutes in Miami, and started on the bench in the following three matches, with only a brief cameo in the 3-0 win over RB Salzburg.
Alonso has flicked between a 4-3-3 and 5-3-2 system in North America, neither of which appear to include Rodrygo in his thinking, and the 24-year-old is annoyed by the lack of chances offered.
The former Santos star has played the bulk of his Real Madrid career on the right of three-man attack, but he is versatile to play on the opposite side, to accommodate Bukayo Saka.
That flexibility could be vital for Arteta, with reports from the Daily Mirror indicating he is ready to relaunch a £70m offer this month, which would come in lower than Gyokeres and Sesko - but with higher wages.
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