Arsenal-linked Rodrigo de Paul is set to join Atletico Madrid, but the Gunners reportedly never made contact over his signing anyway.

June 1, 2021: Udine, Italy, Friuli - Dacia Arena stadium, June 01, 2021, Rodrigo De Paul of Udinese during Calcio season 2020/2021. Copyright: Ettore Griffoni
June 1, 2021: Udine, Italy, Friuli – Dacia Arena stadium, June 01, 2021, Rodrigo De Paul of Udinese during Calcio season 2020/2021. Copyright: Ettore Griffoni

As first reported by Alfredo Pedulla on Tuesday, Rodrigo de Paul to Atletico Madrid is a ‘done deal’, with the 27-year-old Udinese midfielder set to move for €35m plus €5m add-ons.

Fabrizio Romano then posted the same update, before adding that Arsenal never contacted Udinese for de Paul. Football.London also state that despite the Arsenal links to de Paul, they understand the Gunners haven’t made an enquiry for him.

Ekrem Konur had initially claimed that Arsenal had started talks with Udinese for de Paul, planning to bring him in as a replacement for Dani Ceballos. But this now appears not to be the case.

We know Arsenal are in the market for a midfielder or two this summer, particularly one with a goal/assist threat after Martin Odegaard’s return to Real Madrid.

The links to de Paul likely came about because he fulfils that requirement, scoring nine goals and assisting 10 this season. But the reality seems to be that Arsenal were just never after him.