Arsenal still like Real Madrid winger but won’t sign him in January

Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal appreciate and like Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, but the player definitely won’t be on the move in January, as he works on his comeback from injury.

Romano suggests the summer could potentially be a different story, but it’s way too early to predict anything on that. The player appears to have positive feelings about his current club and the way they’ve dealt with his injury setback.

The same source adds that Rodrygo was definitely a player Arsenal wanted in the summer of 2025, though Manchester City were a more realistic destination for the winger at that time.

Following those strong links in 2025, Arsenal were again touted as a possible destination for Rodrygo during the January 2026 window, with suggestions the Gunners could look to make their move in the summer.

Reports in 2025 claimed that Rodrygo had asked his agents to explore a new destination for him, but Real Madrid wanted €100m, and there was never any confirmation Arsenal were willing to go that high.

Rodrygo then suffered his ACL injury in March, which ruled out any possibility of Arsenal or Manchester City signing him this year.

Arsenal did sign Christos Tzolis for their left-hand side over the summer, but with both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard making way. It does seem as though there’s still an opening for another winger.

If that winger is to be Rodrygo, Arsenal will need to wait until next summer to get it done.