Arsenal Face Transfer Setback as Deals for Rodrygo and Palhinha Collapse
Arsenal’s ambitious summer transfer campaign has hit a snag, with the club backing out of negotiations for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo and Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha. Despite an aggressive recruitment push under Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta, the Gunners were unable to reach agreements for the two high-profile targets.
Arsenal’s Summer Activity: A Quick Recap
The North London club has been among the busiest in the transfer market, already securing deals for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard. More signings are on the horizon, with Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera reportedly close to joining.
Additionally, talks are ongoing with Sporting CP regarding a potential deal for striker Viktor Gyökeres. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, discussions over add-ons are still taking place in London, with Arsenal maintaining a calm and confident stance.
Rodrygo Pursuit Ends as Real Madrid Shut the Door
Brazilian winger Rodrygo was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates after slipping down the pecking order under new Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso. However, reports from Spanish outlet Cadena SER claim that Real are not open to any departures involving the 23-year-old, effectively ending Arsenal’s pursuit.
Negotiations were complicated by Rodrygo’s €100 million valuation and increasing interest from other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. With Arsenal prioritizing other attacking targets like Madueke and Gyökeres, the club decided not to wait on a player unlikely to be put on the market this summer.
Palhinha Move Breaks Down Over Financial Terms
In a separate blow, Arsenal also ended discussions with Bayern Munich over a move for defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese international, who previously impressed during his spell at Fulham, was considered a prime candidate to bolster Arsenal’s midfield depth.
According to Bild, Arsenal were engaged in advanced talks and even discussed specific financial terms with Bayern. However, the two clubs failed to agree on a final deal, leading to Arsenal pulling out. Bayern are reportedly seeking sales to fund their own transfer activity, but a compromise couldn’t be reached in time.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
Despite the setbacks, Arsenal’s transfer window is far from over. With key deals close to completion and ongoing negotiations for Gyökeres, the Gunners are still poised to strengthen their squad significantly. However, the collapse of the Rodrygo and Palhinha talks highlights the challenges of operating at the highest level of the transfer market.
