Arsenal running big Rodrygo transfer risk amid Eberechi Eze hijack fears

Arsenal's focus in the transfer market has shifted from incomings to outgoings and that choice could come back to haunt them.

The bulk of the Gunners' business was wrapped up during pre-season to allow Mikel Arteta the longest time possible to prepare new arrivals for the challenge ahead. Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabala have all been introduced and bedded in before Sunday's Premier League opener vs Manchester United.

But there are players Arsenal have taken a liking to that are yet to be signed, chief amongst them Eberechi Eze.

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Fans woke up to worrying reports thatarch rivals Tottenham Hotspur are re-entering the fray for the Crystal Palace star following a long-term injury to James Maddison.

football.london understands Arsenal have looked into the 27-year-old over the summer but are unlikely to make a move. Top of the to-do list at the Emirates Stadium is to move certain players on.

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo is the only other attacker to be persistently linked with Arsenal but if they are hesitant over him too, they could reportedly miss out to one of many rivals.

With that, football.london rounds up and analyses the latest Gunners transfer news and rumours.

Rodrygo role 'clear'

On Tuesday night, Real Madrid played their first summer friendly in front of a crowd. They faced Austrian outfit WSG Tirol in Innsbruck.

Rodrygo was selected for the squad but was only deemed worthy of a place on the bench by manager Xabi Alonso. Between this match, a behind-closed-doors friendly last week and their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this summer, the Brazilian has only been selected to start once in eight matches by his new boss.

Marca's report on the matter states that Rodrygo should have now got the 'clear' message that he is still not going to be a starter in the Spanish capital moving forwards.

That said, the 24-year-old responded with a goal after being introduced in the 62nd minute. It was his first strike in any capacity since April 3 and he was mobbed by teammates in celebration.

football.london says: It should be evident to Rodrygo by now that Alonso thinks of him the same way that Carlo Ancelotti began to in the final months of the 2024/25 campaign - just a squad player. Competition has grown for places at Real with the graduation of Gonzalo Garcia from the academy so the Brazilian's task to get into the starting XI has become a lot harder. There is a place in Brazil's FIFA World Cup squad next summer at stake so he must seriously consider his transfer options in these final weeks of the window. Arsenal could certainly find him a place in the team.

Rivals a threat

Marca's report additionally claims that Manchester City are now 'best positioned' to bring Rodrygo to the Premier League. They have been linked with selling Savinho to Spurs so would look for a replacement.

But Spurs too have also been linked with Rodrygo and it seems they too cannot be discredited from the race. Lucas Moura has urged his former club to complete a deal with Real and his compatriot to jump at the opportunity.

He told AS: "I've heard about that rumour, but I don't know if it's true or not. Rodrygo's arrival would be wonderful for Tottenham, and he'd certainly like to play in the Premier League for a team that, as I said, has a fantastic structure.

"A team that's getting stronger and stronger, growing to compete in Europe. It would be good for both sides, but it won't be easy for Rodrygo to leave Real Madrid, given the interest from other clubs."

football.london says: Missing out on Rodrygo as well as Eze because they wish to make a few sales first would put Arsenal back to square one in the hunt for an attacker. Maybe it is time for a rethink of priorities. Last season the Gunners failed to score 70 Premier League goals and that is what cost them dearly in the title race with Liverpool. One more signing bolsters their attack perfectly for the next attempt.