Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly planning a move to sign Real Madrid play-maker James Rodriguez, who is valued at £50million.
According to a report by The Mirror, Arsene Wenger has placed a target sign upon Real Madrid James Rodriguez and is trying to weigh up a potential move for the play-maker.
The Colombian is looking to leave the Bernabeu this summer as he wants regular first-team football ahead of next year’s World Cup in Russia, and has already been linked with Manchester United, and now Arsenal.w
When James Rodriguez first joined Real Madrid back in 2014 after the World Cup for £63million, he did so as the Golden Boot winner and was touted as one of Europe’s most talented players. However, each year that followed saw his star status diminish, which subsequently led to a reduction in playing time and goals.
In fact, he wasn’t even a part of the subs’ bench for Real Madrid’s Champions League final win over Juventus in Cardiff last weekend. While this could be the outcome of an alleged fall-out with Zinedine Zidane, the fact is that this is the right time for him to move.
While Jose Mourinho has been chasing him for a long time, it looks like Arsene Wenger will emerge as the victor. He has been known to appreciate an expressive No.10, and has also worked well with many players rejected by European heavyweights – the best example being Thierry Henry after a lacklustre spell with Juventus back in 1999.
With Alexis Sanchez’s possible departure, the Gunners squad will have a void which Rodriguez can fit smoothly. Even if Sanchez stays back, Wenger’s recent switch to a back three will allow Arsenal to deploy an attacking triangle up front.
Although there will not be one single striker in a trio of Ozil, Sanchez and Rodriguez but it can open room for more creativity and goals. It can also allow Rodriguez to line up as a second striker, and Wenger can retain Sanchez in the middle, with Ozil offering his support from behind.
The Gunners do miss Santi Cazorla whenever he is out of the squad, and Rodriguez will be able to offer a similar play-making style that can be deployed deeper if Arsenal revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
If the deal does go through, Rodriguez will have to forego Champions League football for a season, but Wenger’s style of playing and general rapport with players can be beneficial, making Arsenal look like a good option indeed.
