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Mikel Arteta will be looking to bolster his attacking line at Arsenal in the summer(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)

Arsenal are in talks to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who could have been turning out for Liverpool – had things been different.

The Spanish giants are said to be willing to sell the Brazilian, who was signed from Santos in 2018.

In 2023, Rodrygo signed a new contract until 2028, which included an eye-watering release clause of €1billion (£840m).



However, if Arsenal were to sign the South American, they would not need to come close to that figure,with Rodrygo potentially available for around £67.5m.

While Mikel Arteta's side are in the hunt for him, Jurgen Klopp – when he was still manager of Liverpool – did everything he could to sway the versatile winger to Anfield, before Real Madrid swooped in.

The German was so interested in signing him, he even got on a flight to meet the then youngster personally, according to Rodrygo's agent.

While speaking to Canal do Nicola in 2020, Rodrygo’s agent, Nick Arcuri, said: "When Rodrygo went to sign his first professional contract with Santos, aged 16, a Liverpool director called me saying that Klopp already knew the player, had seen the material, had already come to see Rodrygo personally.

"He had gone on YouTube, searched 'talents from Brazil’.

Modesto didn’t accept.

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"It turned out that Santos didn’t want to sell Rodrygo and instead made the first professional contract.

According to Sky Deutschland, talks have begun between the Gunners, their new transfer chief Andrea Berta, and his representatives.

While Rodrygo has mainly been deployed on the right for Los Blancos, he is capable of playing on either wing and Arteta has prioritised both the signings of a centre-forward and a left-winger this summer; Rodrygo fits the bill when it comes to the latter.

Asked about being linked with players like Rodrygo on Thursday, Arteta said: “If you want to win major trophies, you have to be the best in the market, no?
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