Arsenal, Bayern Munich & the six best transfer options for Real Madrid outcast Rodrygo - ranked

Let's have some fun. Ruben Amorim is a poor fit for this United team. He doesn't have the players to play his system, but is beyond hellbent on sticking to it. No one wins here. Even his two big signings that are expected to get over the line - Bryan Mbeumo and the already-signed Matheus Cunha - aren't seamless fits. What Amorim needs is a target striker and an inside left attacking midfielder/forward hybrid to facilitate. Remind you of anyone?

Rodrygo is an interesting, if imperfect, stylistic fit here. But he does check boxes in terms of position, quality on the ball and work rate. There were glimpses of his ability to work with a central striker, too, in some of his tidy combinations with Joselu in the 2023-24 season in Madrid. If anything, the problem actually runs the other way. United's finances are a mess. There isn't any Champions League football on offer. Their team isn't great. But this is still Manchester United, and that still seems to count for something.

Another summer, and another chance for the Saudi Pro League to go big. The latest to be linked with a move was Darwin Nunez, but it seems that Serie A is more likely for him. And with Vinicius very much part of Alonso's plans despite the clear tactical difficulties, Rodrygo may be the odd man out who is willing to cash in.

The question of "star power" here is an interesting one. Rodrygo isn't particularly glamorous or flashy. The name value doesn't really ring true yet. But he is undeniably an excellent footballer, and would raise the level of whatever Saudi team he potentially signs for. There's also a passing of the torch vibe here, with Cristiano Ronaldo penning a short-term deal to stick around. The league needs a new star now. Rodrygo could be that man.

He might also be the first player who could go to Saudi and return to another European club. This whole thing reeks of PSG in five years.

The argument here is basically the same for both teams - they possess two complete forward lines who don't really need upgrading, now, especially with their transfer priorities lying elsewhere. Liverpool need a centre-back, a defensive midfielder and a striker before they need a left-winger. City need midfield help, and perhaps full-back depth, too. Doku and Diaz, respectively, are fine players who could be part of any league-winning side - especially given the systems they play in.

Liverpool held an interest before, and City are always on the lookout for top talent - the Pep Guardiola allure is real. Neither is likely, but both could be interesting outside options.

Do Bayern actually have any wingers anymore? Leroy Sane is gone for good this time, being shipped off to Galatasaray. Kingsley Coman is linked with a move away pretty much every week. Serge Gnabry cannot stay fit.

What they need, then, is a new winger to carry them into the next generation. Jamal Musiala is the star man going forward, but it is well known that the Bavarians were willing to spend big on Florian Wirtz before he chose to join Arne Slot and Liverpool.

Why not go after perhaps the next best creative option out there? Bayern, admittedly, have a track record of signing from elsewhere in the Bundesliga, but his combination with Musiala could be the stuff of dreams, and his work rate should help free up Harry Kane to spearhead the attack and require him to do less running.

Chelsea have their man through the middle. Liam Delap might not be the perfect striker, but Enzo Maresca certainly rates him, and he looks likely to oust Nicolas Jackson from the starting XI. On the right wing, they have Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer as options if Enzo Fernandez occupies the No.10 role.

That leaves left wing, where the options are far less inspiring. Pedro Neto can play there but lacks consistency. There are cheaper options out there - Jamie Gittens is a top target, but he still feels like a work in progress. What this team needs is a sure thing with end product. Enter Rodrygo. He would undoubtedly be a star player for Maresca, and offer some cutting edge in the final third. The issue here? Chelsea are far less of a finished product than their north London rivals over at Arsenal. It's not that the fit is wrong, but the Gunners might just be more appealing.

Gabriel Martinelli still has plenty of credit in the bank from a solid 2022-23 season, but the success of that campaign will, at some point, fade from memory. What we have, in reality, is a phenomenally athletic speedster who is maddeningly inconsistent in front of goal. Those players have their value with big teams - see Luis Diaz and Jeremy Doku - but what Arsenal need is a goal threat from out wide. Enter Rodrygo, a goalscoring and chance creation beast whose ceiling will always be limited at Madrid.

It is well known, at this point, that the Brazilian wants to play off the left, and his ability to cut through traffic, find angles and finish in tight areas will be invaluable against the low blocks the Gunners routinely face. In a pinch, he could also chip in as a central striker.

His off-the-ball work, too, will suit Mikel Arteta's side well. The Spaniard is a wonderful manager but demands an uncompromising level of commitment and work rate from his side. Rodrygo has proved at Madrid that he is willing to fight for the badge. Odds are, he will do it for Arteta, too. And although we are operating in a world of hypotheticals, Arsenal have been repeatedly linked with the forward. Interest is concrete - which certainly counts for something.