Arsenal Transfer News: Ricardo Rodriguez Release Clause, Mateo Musacchio Rumours

Arsenal will continue their Swiss raid on the transfer market following reports the north Londoners are ready to meet the release clause of Wolfsburg's Ricardo Rodriguez. Plus, they are also targeting Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio.

According to German newspaper Kicker, the Gunners will meet Rodriguez's €25 million (£19 million) release clause after his international team-mate Granit Xhaka completed his move to the Emirates Stadium (h/t Mirror's Aaron Flanagan).

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Rodriguez has another three years left to run on his contract at the Volkswagen Arena, and many will see his £19 million release clause as a major bargain given his standing in Germany's top flight.

However, the Gunners are under pressure to get the deal done quickly after Bundesliga pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft claimed the release clause is only valid until June:

Rodriguez is poised to travel with Switzerland to UEFA Euro 2016 this summer, and Arsenal may see interest in his services skyrocket unless they seal a deal quickly.

Metro's Chris Winterburn reported in April that Real Madrid were interested in a move for the 23-year-old, adding that Wolfsburg already had Galatasaray left-back Alex Telles lined up as a replacement:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger utilised Nacho Monreal as his primary left-back in 2015-16, while the Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson reported Kieran Gibbs could leave the club this summer.

Rodriguez, who has already tallied 36 caps for his national team, would be considered an upgrade on either of those players. The defender averaged 1.5 key passes per league game last term, per WhoScored.com, just below top-ranked Wolfsburg stars Max Kruse and Julian Draxler (1.7).

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Another asset who could strengthen Wenger's back line is Villarreal's Musacchio, but Spanish outlet Fichajes reported Roma will register competition for his services (h/t James Benson of the Daily Express). 

Manchester United and Barcelona have previously been interested in the Argentina international, per Sport (h/t Benson), and Ben McAleer of WhoScored.com has spoken highly of the centre-back's talents:

Per Mertesacker will turn 32 this September, and Musacchio, 25, would provide a more youthful injection of pace alongside Laurent Koscielny.

Arsenal conducted business with the Yellow Submarine when they purchased Gabriel Paulista in January 2015, and the English titans appear ready to return to Villarreal this summer to acquire Musacchio as they look to beef up their defence.