Why Mbappe to Real Madrid can benefit Arsenal

Stuart Telford

• 30 May 2024 11:30 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal might have liked to have signed Kylian Mbappe themselves, but the Frenchman's impending move to Real Madrid could provide a golden opportunity.

Mbappe will officially join Real in the coming days, once the Madrid giants have played Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.

The focus in Madrid is on what would be a 15th European crown right now, before it turns to announcing what is quite possibly the most dramatic free transfer of all time, with Mbappe leaving Paris Saint-Germain under freedom of contract.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer rumours

Mbappe has spoken in recent days about how he grew up supporting AC Milan, and it is understood he was also an admirer of Arsene Wenger's Francophone Arsenal.

Both clubs will have to wait, but for Arsenal, Mbappe going to Real could quickly be followed by Rodrygo moving to the Emirates, according to a report in Spain.

Rodrygo 'very attractive' to Arsenal

"At Arsenal, Mikel Arteta sees Rodrygo as a top signing who could rotate with Bukayo Saka on the right or even start on the left," write Fichajes. "Rodrygo's ability to play in multiple attacking positions makes him a very attractive option for the Gunners."

READ MORE: Arsenal's 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Rodrygo has been a mainstay of the Madrid attack since arriving as an 18-year-old from Santos in 2019, with 54 goals, 41 assists, three La Ligas and a Champions League under is belt since.

But Mbappe's presence is problematic. Real play three in the final third - Jude Bellingham and No.10 with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo up ahead. But with Bellingham and Vinicius in the Ballon d'Or conversation, the one to make way would appear obvious.

Rodrygo admitted himself recently that "anything can happen," when interviewed on DAZN.

The Brazilian is valued at €86.5 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, so he wouldn't come cheap, but he could be an ideal replacement for Gabriel Jesus, who has dipped after a positive start since arriving from Manchester City.