Real Madrid star Rodrygo is leaning towards staying at Real Madrid with his wage demands likely to price Arsenal out of a move should he leave the Spanish capital.
A host of Premier League clubs were put on alert after it emerged the Brazil international was strongly considering leaving Los Blancos this summer.
Arsenal and Chelsea are among the clubs to have registered interest in the 24-year-old with Real demanding €80million (£67.5m) for the winger.
After being benched for the title-deciding Clasico against Barcelona earlier this month, reports in Spain revealed Rodrygo’s frustration at the club, tired of playing second fiddle to Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
But the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, taking over the Brazil national team job, and the arrival of Xabi Alonso appears to have changed the situation.
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AS now report Rodrygo’s preference is to stay at Real and fight for his place in the team. He is eager to sit down with Alonso as soon as possible and discover what role the former midfielder has in mind for him, with his initial plan to stay and gain the new manager’s trust.
Should Alonso decide Rodrygo will not have a prominent role to play, the winger will consider one of the many offers he is receiving from the Premier League.
This week, Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal will be in ‘for the best players’ when quizzed on the club’s interest in the Real star.
While there have been further talks with Rodrygo ‘in recent hours’, Sky Germany report wage demands could place him out of their reach.
Demands of around €10million net per year exceed what Arsenal are ready to pay.
The Premier League side have also opened talks with RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, with Mikel Arteta preferring him to Viktor Gyokeres to lead his line next season.
‘I mean, if you want to win major trophies, you have to be the best in the market, no? The teams that win have the best players, always, always at this level,’ Arteta said this week on incoming business.
‘I think the biggest thing is that, and using the word pride, is that we have brought the club into a position, into a place that next season: “You have to win a major trophy.”
‘That means that everybody believes, that we have the level, that we have shown the consistency, and we are an elite team in this country and in Europe.
‘And if you don’t do that, then what’s going to happen? So, for me that’s the biggest statement, that Arsenal is there.’