Wenger going back to Bundesliga in hunt for new recruits

Sources at Sky Sports News are today suggesting that Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez’s pleas for a new club may have been heard by Arsene Wenger – following an impressive Euro 2016 for the 23-year-old left back.

With Kieran Gibbs looking for first-team football to break back into the England setup, it seems likely he will be heading for the Arsenal exit door, paving the way for Rodriguez – who has previously been linked with the Gunners – to potentially challenge current first-choice left-back Nacho Monreal for a starting spot.

It was reported during the early stages of the tournament that Rodriguez had expressed his desire to leave Wolfsburg, where he has spent the last five years.

The defender is considered a set-piece specialist amongst teammates and fans following his deliveries throughout Euro 2016, in which he played every in every minute for Switzerland, creating just over two clear-cut chances per game.

It’s perhaps of no surprise, then, that he’s been the subject of several Premier League scouting reports this summer.

But with Liverpool also on the hunt for a left-back to challenge the unreliable Alberto Moreno, Arsene Wenger could face stiff competition for Rodriguez’s signature.

Rodriguez, however, may favour a move to North London over Merseyside to work with compatriot Granit Xhaka, who signed for Arsenal this summer for a fee thought to be in the region of £30m. The pair share a room on international duty so would obviously help each other in settling into life in London should a deal go through.

Three goals, three assists and 36 chances created in 24 appearances for Wolfsburg last season are statistics any defender can be pleased with.  Compare that with Monreal’s figures from last season (zero goals, three assists, 28 chances created in 37 league games) and a deal to sign Rodriguez looks all the more appealing.

With a price-tag of £21.25m according to transfermarkt.co.uk, the question – as is often the case

when it comes to Wenger and transfer fees – is will the cash be splashed?

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.