The Premier League’s summer transfer window nears its final weeks, Arsenal find themselves weighing their attacking options and it increasingly looks like Rafael Leão may be the only truly elite winger still available.
The Four Main Targets
Throughout the summer, Arsenal have been linked with four top-flight options:
Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Manchester City’s interest in Rodrygo has intensified recently. Reports describe Pep Guardiola as “in love” with the 24-year-old Brazilian, with City considering him a “dream” addition especially given exits like Jack Grealish and the potential departures of Savinho and James McAtee .
Arsenal are also reportedly monitoring him, but City seem to have seized control of the narrative .
Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
Tottenham Hotspur appear to have overtaken Arsenal in the race, with betters now favoring Spurs heavily (1/2 odds) compared to Arsenal’s 15/8 .
While Tottenham are long-term admirers of the 26-year-old, Fabrizio Romano confirms the deal is complicated due to the costly release clause and the requirement for large upfront payment—something that has historically prevented their pursuit .
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)
Although listed among the names, the window of possibility appears closed. Newcastle, expected to lose Alexander Isak, are highly unlikely to part with a second star attacker this summer.
Rafael Leão (AC Milan)
With the others slipping away, Leão emerges as a viable and perhaps necessarytarget.
AC Milan’s failure to qualify for European competitions weakens their financial standing, raising the likelihood that they may finally relax on Leão’s eye-watering release clause (reportedly around €175 million, though actual negotiating range lies between €67.5 m and €82.5 m) .
Arsenal have reportedly held talks through sporting director Andrea Berta, and Leão remains “more attainable” than the others — albeit still costly .
Why Leão Could Be Arsenal’s Best—and Only—Move!
With Rodrygo seemingly headed to Manchester, Spurs now leading on Eze, and Gordon off the table due to Newcastle’s stance, Leão may well be the only top-class winger still realistically on the table for Arsenal.
Cost: Approximately £84 million, potentially making him Arsenal’s most expensive signing of this window and the second-largest in club history.
Attributes: Leão’s speed, dribbling, and ability to stretch defenses perfectly align with Mikel Arteta’s attacking philosophy. Opportunity: Milan’s precarious position makes their star winger more accessible an opportunity Arsenal may not want to let slip.
A Blessing in Disguise?
While some Gunners fans may prefer Rodrygo or Eze, Leão offers a special blend of creativity, versatility, and explosiveness that could enhance Arsenal’s attack in ways the other targets might not.
If the club now pivots fully to Leão, it may prove a masterstroke: not settling for Plan B, but embracing a potentially transformative Plan A.
Final Take
As of August 2025, the transfer landscape has narrowed sharply. With City firmly in pursuit of Rodrygo and Spurs increasingly likely to secure Eze, Arsenal may find themselves committing to Leão—not out of desperation, but with conviction. At £84m, the asking price remains steep, but the value could be immense. This summer could well be defined by Arteta going “all in”—and gamers might look back and consider a forced move for Leão to be one of the smartest decisions of the campaign.
