There might be one more game to play, but for most Arsenal fans, the season is now over.
Instead of looking forward to what is essentially a meaningless Premier League match on Sunday, fans are already starting to dream about the summer transfer window.
After all, following last year, new Sporting Director Andrea Berta has a significant task to convince them that the board is ready to go all in to finally get the club over the line next season.
Fortunately, recent reports link an international superstar with a move to the Gunners – exactly the kind of player fans have been yearning for and who would be a dream addition for Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal Transfer News
In recent weeks, Arsenal have been linked with numerous talented footballers, such as Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze.
The former, according to reports, could cost the club as little as £55m, potentially making it one of the deals of the summer, considering that in just 51 games this season, he has scored 53 goals and provided 13 assists.
Eze, on the other hand, will cost around £68m due to a release clause in his current contract, although this fee also seems more than reasonable, considering his ability to play in multiple positions and his 25 goal involvements in 42 games this season.
However, to truly take the team to the next level and get across the finish line next season, Arteta and his staff might want to sign a bona fide superstar – someone like Rodrygo.
According to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany`s Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are “now seriously considering” a move for the Real Madrid star.
The journalist reported that talks have already “begun behind the scenes” and the deal is “on.”
The report does not mention a price, but according to other news from earlier this month, the Brazilian winger might be available for around £85m.
It would be a complicated and expensive transfer to complete, but given Rodrygo`s status and skill, it`s one worth pursuing, especially as it would significantly help Saka as well.
Why Rodrygo Would Be a Dream Signing for Saka
So, if Arsenal can finalise this deal and bring Rodrygo to the Emirates this summer, why would his signing be so beneficial for Saka?
Well, first, he would finally be able to take some of the burden off Saka`s shoulders, as he is not only a natural left-winger but also a player who knows how to score.
Said by Carlo Ancelotti to be among the “best players in the world,” in 52 appearances last season, he scored 18 goals and provided 9 assists in 52 games, averaging a goal involvement every 1.92 games.
This season, despite a more challenging period for Los Blancos, he has still managed impressive numbers: 13 goals and 10 assists in 50 appearances, averaging a goal involvement every 2.17 games.
For comparison, Gabriel Martinelli has scored ten goals and provided six assists in the same number of games, and Leandro Trossard has scored ten goals and provided nine assists in 55 games.
| Players | Rodrygo | Martinelli | Trossard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 50 | 50 | 55 |
| Minutes | 3290` | 3493` | 3428` |
| Goals | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Assists | 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Goal Involvements per Match | 0.46 | 0.32 | 0.34 |
| Minutes per Goal Involvement | 143.04` | 218.31` | 180.42` |
Thus, with someone as effective as the Brazilian on the left flank, the Gunners` mercurial number seven (Saka) wouldn`t have to do quite as much himself, which could help him perform better.
The next significant advantage of signing the Real ace is that he is also very comfortable playing on the right flank, so Arteta could more easily rest the Hale End superstar (Saka) and help him avoid serious injuries.
Finally, during his time in Madrid, the Osasco-born dynamo has won every possible club trophy.
