Arsenal are believed to be closing in on the signing of a new left-back. The reports linking the transfer have strengthened in recent days and we now believe a deal is on the cards.
The £19million deal is for Granit Xhaka’s international teammate, Ricardo Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a left-back that can also play as a left midfielder and his arrival would surely spell the end of Kieran Gibbs career at Arsenal.
Rodriguez missed Switzerland training this week for unknown reasons and it is thought he could have been sorting out a transfer to The Emirates.
Rodriguez has a £19million release clause that becomes active on June 1st (today) and will be active for the entire month of June. It is thought that Arsenal may try and activate that clause early in the month in order to sign Rodriguez before other clubs get involved.
Wolfsburg have recently admitted that they cannot stop Rodriguez from joining Arsenal due to this clause.
Rodriguez turns 24 in August and he is thought of as amongst the best young left-backs in Europe. Although Nacho Monreal has been excelling at left-back, Monreal will turn 31 next season and it seems The Gunners no longer believe that Kieran Gibbs can succeed the Spaniard. Rodriguez is a quicker, more attacking left-back option to Monreal and the pair could be alternated throughout next season, with the view for Rodriguez to become first choice the following season.