Any Arsenal push for Rodrygo will not happen this winter. That is the message from Fabrizio Romano, who this week described the London club’s continued interest in the Real Madrid winger as genuine but static, with no move possible when the mid-season window opens and even summer 2027 too far off to project.
“Obviously, they like the player, but now is not time for movements because in January nothing will happen,” Romano told CaughtOffside.
“Rodrygo will stay.”
The reason is straightforward. Rodrygo has been sidelined since rupturing his ACL against Getafe in March 2026, an injury that wiped out the closing months of his club season and any prospect of a summer move.
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An earlier-than-expected return
The one thing that has shifted is the recovery timeline. Real Madrid initially braced for a February 2027 return, but Romano says the mood at the club has changed.
“There is a feeling he can be ahead of schedule in terms of being back as soon as possible … by the end of 2026, let’s say December, maybe January, he could already be available for Jose Mourinho,” Romano said.
The earlier comeback does not open a January transfer door. Arsenal are not preparing a bid, and Romano was clear that the situation stays where it is because Rodrygo’s focus is on rehabilitation.
Arsenal watching for 2027
The relevant window, per Romano, is the one that opens in the summer of 2027.
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“It’s something that we have to monitor ahead of the 2027 transfer window. It’s something we always have in the rumours because Rodrygo has always been mentioned as a transfer target for Arsenal,” he said.
Arsenal’s interest is not new. Romano recalled that Rodrygo was on the club’s radar last year, though a different Premier League destination was closer at the time.
“In summer 2025, the real possibility for Rodrygo Goes was Manchester City,” Romano said.
That move never materialised, and Rodrygo remained in Madrid. Real Madrid set an asking price of €100m in earlier discussions, and per Daily Cannon’s read of Arsenal’s position, the London club have maintained contact with the player’s camp while accepting that any deal would have to wait until after his return to competitive football.
Rodrygo focused on Real Madrid
Romano was firm on where the player’s loyalty sits during the recovery.
“What I can guarantee is that Rodrygo is really grateful with Real Madrid for how they are helping him and trusting him and believing in him despite the difficult moment in terms of injury,” he said.
The next milestone is his return to first-team action, targeted for the closing weeks of 2026 or the opening weeks of 2027.
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