Arsenal have made formal contact with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg regarding the transfer of highly rated left-back Ricardo Rodriguez, according to latest reports from Bild.
The trusted German news outlet is convinced of an offer from the Gunners as they are looking to strengthen their defensive core amid exit speculations for Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Debuchy. Gibbs, 26 has failed to establish himself as a key member of Arsenal’s squad and has constantly been under the shadow of first Gael Clichy and now Nacho Monreal.
After missing out on the Premier League title, Arsene Wenger is keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the next season. Granit Xhaka has already signed for the club and Rodriguez could be the next marquee signing as reported by Bild.
Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs also confirmed Arsenal’s offer for the player but suggested that the defender will not go for cheap. Speaking in an interview, Allofs said: "We are on the alert and we are prepared [to sell]. They [Ricardo Rodriguez and Luiz Gustavo] will not get cheaper, rather the opposite.”
By that, Allofs meant the €25 million release clause in Rodriguez’s contract which can be triggered before July 1. According to Metro, Arsenal are considering the offer to pay €25m up front and sign the 23-year-old left back rather than entering a lengthy negotiation with the German club.
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Rodriguez is currently on international duty with Switzerland at Euro 2016, who qualified for the round of 16 earlier this week. The Swiss take on Poland in the first knockout round tomorrow with Rodriguez being one of their key players.
Arsenal planning to go on the defensive
Ricardo Rodriguez is not the only defender linked with a move to Emirates this summer, instead, Arsene Wenger is keen to sign another centre-back amid fears of Per Mertesacker's growing age and the obvious dip in form.
In recent weeks, AS Roma’s Kostas Manolas and Inter Milan's Jeison Murillo have been tipped to make a Premier League switch with Arsenal being the preferred destination.
Wenger is not leaving anything to chance this time around as he looks to lead the strongest Arsenal side in recent years and be one of the real contenders to win next season’s Premier League title.
