Arsenal’s summer transfer plans have come to light in recent weeks.
As reported by football.london last month, midfield is an area in which the Gunners are looking to bolster ahead of the 2021/22 season with one of the priorities being to retain the services of on-loan Real Madrid star Martin Odegaard.
However, with Dani Ceballos looking likely to head back to Los Blancos when his own loan deal comes to an end when the season finishes later this month, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will find himself a man light in the engine room.
As a result, technical director Edu is said to be working hard behind the scenes to secure a direct replacement for Ceballos after this ruthless transfer decision.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo, the Gunners are close to reaching an agreement with Real Betis to seal the signing of midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
Despite claims of a £68million release clause, the Spanish club are reportedly facing financial difficulties, meaning they are going to be forced to offload him for a reduced price that will be lower than the one to trigger his release clause.
With that said, Arsenal would have to stump up around £43.4million to sign Rodriguez.
Impressively, Betis only signed Rodriguez for around £6million from Club America last year, meaning they stand to make a very tidy profit.
But the Gunners can save millions by addressing one of the biggest issues in Arteta’s squad.
Scoring goals at the Emirates Stadium this season has not been one of Arsenal’s best strengths, with them having found the net just 19 times at home in the Premier League.
And a goalless draw with Villarreal saw them eliminated from the Europa League at the semi-final stage on Thursday night.
Worryingly, Arsenal’s tally of three Premier League goals via their out-and-out central midfielders is among the lowest of any club across the entire division from that area of the pitch this season.
The summer transfer window is just around the corner.
And the rumour mill is already starting to pick up speed.
Arsenal will not have a huge amount of money to spend, but Mikel Arteta will be hoping to make a number of moves, with loanee Martin Odegaard high up the list of priorities to bring in on a permanent deal.
But who would you sign? Get involved in our transfer window debate here.
Whilst, Rodriguez – a defensive-minded midfielder would could be the ideal partner for Thomas Partey in front of the Arsenal back four next season – he is unlikely to provide the goal threat to make the difference in certain games.
Yet, Joe Willock could be.
The midfielder who is on loan at Newcastle United served Arteta and Edu another reminder of his goalscoring instincts by netting for a fourth successive game against Leicester City on Friday night.
That is five goals for the Magpies – more than Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, Partey, Martin Odegaard, and Ceballos combined and he’s only been at St James’ Park since the beginning of February.
As a result, bringing the 21-year-old and integrating him into the first-team picture just might be the best decision.