Tottenham’s preparations for the January transfer window will be well under way but should they consider hijacking a big-money Arsenal move?
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Tottenham made some quality additions to their squad in the summer in the hope that Thomas Frank would be able to drag his team up the Premier League table.
Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani are proven operators in some of Europe’s top five leagues with Mohammed Kudus one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers in recent seasons.
The former West Ham winger was linked with several elite clubs before Spurs made their move. There are still a few gaps in the squad though with injuries exposing just how brittle the starting XI can be.
Tottenham should hijack Arsenal move for Rodrygo
The January transfer window is usually a difficult time to recruit, however, with a World Cup around the corner, players who are looking for more game time will be pressing their agents and their clubs to leave, even if only on a temporary basis. Spurs have already been linked with Antoine Semenyo, but if they are looking for more quality in wide areas they should look to back a move being considered by Arsenal.
Xabi Alonso has ruffled a few feathers at the Bernabeau after taking over at Real Madrid with several reports that some of the players are unhappy with training and the instructions being given, despite currently sitting top of La Liga. One of those is Rodrygo who, despite starting more games recently, is said to be eyeing a move away from Los Blancos. Spurs tried and failed to sign the ‘extraordinary’ Rodrygo in the summer but with his current uncertainty, he might be more open to a move now.
Arsenal and Man City are reported by beIN Sports to have at least held talks, over an €80m (£70m) transfer for the Brazil international with €60m (£53m) being the agreed fee and €20m (£17.5m) being in add-ons.
Considering the £65m release clause for Semenyo, if Madrid are willing to sell at this price, Spurs should hijack any interest from their Premier League rivals and get the deal done. As a natural left winger, Rodrygo would offer the perfect balance to Kudus on the right and the sort of quality needed to take Spurs to the next level.
What Rodrygo has said about his future at Real Madrid
Rodrygo spoke to AS only a month ago about speculation linking him with an exit, but gave little away: "Every summer, the same thing happens to me. Whether I'm going to leave or whether I have offers from this club or that. Every week, I was in a team if I paid attention to what was published. Of course, there are always offers; I'm not going to lie about that. But I always made it clear to the club that I want to continue succeeding here, even more than I already have.
“It's a lot to have won two Champions Leagues at my age, but now I want more European Cups in this shirt. I've always said: 'As long as Real Madrid wants me, I'll be here.' If one day Real Madrid says to me: 'Rodry, find a team,' I'll say 'OK.' But that hasn't happened. The club has always told me they count on me.
“When the manager arrived he called me in to talk and said: 'I know you like playing on the left, but I'm going to need you in other positions too.'“I told him, 'Okay, manager, I'm here to help the team.' Everyone knows I prefer playing on the left and that I'm much better on that wing, but I'm always available to the team to play on the right or as a number nine, and I told him so. The truth is, he's only putting me on the left, and I like the level of minutes I'm getting.
“I'm doing well, although, logically, I want to play more. I'm in a process of evolution, and I'm getting better and better, and I feel happy. I'm performing better and better."
Whether Rodrygo is getting more minutes or not, his time at Madrid appears to be numbered and someone could land one of Europe’s most productive wingers.