Al-Nassr Just Threw Money at Rodrygo (Arsenal Fans Won't Like This)

By Lewis Barnett 5 July, 2025 6 mins read 33 Views

So here's the thing that made me spit out my coffee this morning.

Al-Nassr – you know, Cristiano's Saudi playground – just waltzed up to Rodrygo's people with what can only be described as a financial nuclear bomb. We're talking blank cheque territory here, folks. The kind of money that makes Premier League clubs look like they're shopping with pocket change.

And honestly? The timing couldn't be worse for Arsenal.

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When Cristiano Plays Recruitment Manager

According to Sky Sports (and my sources are nodding along), Ronaldo personally handpicked the 22-year-old Brazilian as his dream summer signing. Picture this: CR7 sitting in some gold-plated office in Riyadh, pointing at Rodrygo's highlight reel like "Get me that kid." The man just extended his contract there, so apparently he's got some serious pull in transfer decisions now.

But here's where it gets interesting – and slightly heartbreaking if you're an Arsenal fan.

Rodrygo's camp basically told Al-Nassr thanks but no thanks. Kid's got his eyes set on England, specifically the Premier League. Smart move, honestly. At 22, why would you want to disappear into the Saudi league when you could be tearing up Anfield or Old Trafford?

The Real Madrid Mess Nobody Talks About

Let me paint you the real picture here. Rodrygo's been warming the bench more than a substitute teacher since Mbappe rolled into Madrid. Twenty-three minutes across four Club World Cup games? That's not squad rotation – that's a clear message.

The Brazilian had issues with Ancelotti over playing time, and everyone thought Xabi Alonso coming in would fix things. Spoiler alert: it didn't. Poor kid's probably checking Transfermarkt more than his Instagram DMs at this point.

My mate who covers La Liga texted me yesterday: "Rodrygo looks like he'd rather be anywhere else." And honestly, can you blame him?

Arsenal's Backup Plan (Or Is It?)

Now here's where things get messy for the Gunners. Word is they've been sniffing around Rodrygo for months, but Al-Nassr just showed up with a briefcase full of Saudi oil money. It's like bringing a knife to a bazooka fight.

But plot twist – Arsenal might not even need him anymore. They're apparently all over Chelsea's Noni Madueke like a rash. Personal terms agreed, Arteta's convinced he's the missing piece, the whole nine yards. Makes sense too – Madueke's got that direct style that could actually work in Arsenal's system.

Still, losing out on Rodrygo to Saudi Arabia has got to sting a bit.

The Martinelli Wildcard

And just when you thought this couldn't get more complicated, Al-Nassr's also eyeing Gabriel Martinelli as their Plan B. Because apparently when you've got unlimited money, why not just buy half the Premier League?

Arsenal selling Martinelli would be... well, let's just say the Emirates would probably burn down. But stranger things have happened in football. Remember when Barcelona sold Neymar for €222 million and everyone thought PSG had lost their minds?

The thing is, if Arteta's really serious about this Madueke move, someone's got to make room on the wing. And in today's market, Martinelli's probably worth enough to fund two or three other signings.

Money Talks, But Does It Always Win?

Look, I've been covering transfers long enough to know that blank cheques don't always seal the deal. Players have dreams beyond their bank accounts – shocking, I know.

Rodrygo wants the Premier League. He wants to prove himself against the best defenders in the world, not coast through games against teams most people can't even pronounce. That's the kind of ambition that actually makes you respect a player.

But Al-Nassr isn't giving up. They've got Ronaldo whispering sweet nothings about "legacy" and "being part of something special." Plus, you know, enough money to buy a small country.

The next few weeks are going to be wild. Arsenal better hope their Madueke deal goes through, because losing both targets to Saudi Arabia would be the kind of embarrassment that haunts a club for years.

Sometimes football really is just about who's got the biggest wallet.

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