Arsenal receive Rodrygo transfer boost as Andrea Berta plans triple attacking move

Arsenal’s hopes of signing Rodrygo from Real Madrid this summer have been given a boost. The Los Blancos winger is reportedly expected to once again be on the bench for the Club World Cup fixture with Juventus.

The 24-year-old has not started since the opening match against Al Hilal, when he was substituted in the 65th minute. He has been on the bench against Pachuca, where he was an unused substitute, and against Red Bull Salzburg, where he came off the bench for Vinicius Jr. in the 67th minute.

In his place, Alonso has been using Arda Guler and Federico Valverde from the start. There is also the arrival of 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono to consider, with Alonso believed to be key in his arrival, helping the club beat PSG to his acquisition from River Plate.

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When asked by the media about Rodrygo, Alonso has always been very diplomatic in his responses. He has repeatedly talked about how vital Rodrygo is to his and the club’s plans.

"Rodrygo?” Alonso checked when asked for an update. “After the matches, I try to communicate with everyone, including Rodrygo.

“He will be an important player. In these tournaments, the players who start can be just as important as the ones who come on later. Everyone here is in a good mood, and Rodrygo too. The decision to choose the players is up to me.”

That said, according to The Athletic’s Guillermo Rai, sources close to the player were upset with his lack of involvement and suggest it is a situation that is worth keeping an eye on. With Andrea Berta's links in Spain, it puts Arsenal in a strong position were an opportunity to emerge.

Any move though may be delayed with Rodrygo waiting further to see his involvement, perhaps even into the La Liga season when Mastantuono’s role is more understood. This could leave the Gunners scrambling late on for a wide player, though, should they choose to be patient, although the signings of one of their striker targets, plus Eberechi Eze, for example, would certainly quell much of that.