Arsenal Transfer News: Ricardo Rodriguez Boost, Latest Gunners Rumours

Arsenal could reportedly land Ricardo Rodriguez from Wolfsburg for a fee less than his now-expired €25 million release clause.

That’s according to Blick (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness), who have reported it is “impossible” for the Bundesliga side to keep hold of the left-back this summer. It’s also suggested that while the trigger amount aforementioned is no longer valid, Rodriguez’s inconsistent showings for Wolfsburg may see him sold for a “significantly lower” sum.

The 23-year-old may have been hit and miss in a Wolfsburg team that struggled last term, but anyone who has tracked his career will be aware of the talent he possesses.

Rodriguez ticks all the boxes the modern footballer must fulfil in this position. The Swiss is a persistent influence on the left flank, always looking to raid forward and timing his surges expertly. 

When he does get into these positions, the left-back typically delivers. He’s brilliant at picking passes in the final third, and his crossing on the run is devilish, able to fizz balls in behind the opposition defence or stand it up to the back post. Additionally, Rodriguez is a deadeye when it comes to set pieces.

While he’s impressed primarily with his attacking endeavour during his time at Wolfsburg, these figures from Squawka Football point to a full-back that is balanced in his skill set:

For Arsenal, it’d be a very sensible signing. Nacho Monreal fared well in the left-back berth last term, cementing his place in the team ahead of Kieran Gibbs. The Spaniard is very assured in dealing with tricky wide players, although he doesn’t marry that defensive skill with an offensive threat.

Rodriguez does, and while Arsenal supporters may have lamented the deadline passing on his release clause, it seems as though there may be a chance of this deal being done yet.

Arsenal Close in on Takuma Asano

According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, Arsenal are hopeful of completing the signing of Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s Takuma Asano.

Masashi Hara/Getty Images

“This deal is one for the future with Arsenal in the market for a top striker after being turned down by Jamie Vardy who opted to sign a new deal at Leicester [City],” added Cross. “Wenger has met with the representatives of Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette but the French club want in excess of £40 million, which is way above Arsenal's valuation.”

Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones also reported the deal is close to being completed, and the 21-year-old is set to be loaned out by the Gunners next term:

Asano may not be the big name striker Arsenal supporters have been craving, but he’s a player who is set for a bright future in the game.

Here is a look at why the Gunners have opted to snap him up:

Arsenal fans will be encouraged to see their club searching for talent in all corners of the globe, and there’s potential for an exciting stay for him at the Emirates Stadium. Still, a signing that’s ready to come in and immediately offer competition to Olivier Giroud will be demanded between now and the end of the window.

Wenger has addressed a couple of longstanding problems with this Arsenal squad in the last couple of windows, landing Petr Cech last summer and Granit Xhaka this. If he can get a forward through the door to capitalise on the cerebral skills of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez, they’ll challenge for the title in 2016-17.