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Report: Arsenal to open talks over 10-cap brute, £26m would seal signing
Arsenal will open negotiations with Real Betis over the summer transfer of midfielder Guido Rodriguez, according to .
The Gunners have returned to La Liga for the second year running looking to bolster Mikel Arteta’s engine room options. The Premier League side do not feel Thomas Partey has lived up to his billing just yet and want alternatives.
Arsenal signed Partey for £45million () on Deadline Day in October after triggering a clause in his Atletico Madrid contract. The Ghanaian has since made in all competitions, but has also struggled with injuries.
Partey could now face competition for minutes in north London next season with Arsenal lining up a deal for Rodriguez. The Gunners have scouted the 27-year-old for a number of months and intend to discuss a fee with Betis.
Rodriguez is protected by an €80m (£68.5m) release clause in his contract at the Benito Villamarin Stadium. However, Los Verdiblancos are prepared to accept offers of €30m (£26m) for the Argentine.
Arsenal are not the only side interested in the brute, though. claim two further clubs are paying very close attention and have held tentative talks to sound out interest. Betis are also having to accept lesser sums due to the financial impact of the pandemic.
TBR’s view: Arsenal should explore Rodriguez transfer
Arteta could have a completely new look to his midfield next season, with Arsenal exploring deals for Betis brute Rodriguez and Udinese maestro Rodrigo De Paul. The latter of the two would help improve the Spaniard’s creativity, while the former would bolster the defensive side.
A £26m fee for Rodriguez could also prove to be good business for the Gunners. His strengths lie in winning the ball back for players like De Paul to then push forward. He is not afraid to be physical with his combative presence to protect the backline, either.
Arsenal pursuing Rodriguez, then, will offer Arteta balance in the core of his side in a traditional defensive midfield role. Providing he does not expect the Betis star to be a box-to-box player in the Premier League.
AND in other news, European title-winners set eyes on Arsenal for transfer of ‘ruthless’ talent…