If reports in the Daily Mail are to be believed then Arsenal are interested in signing Benfica striker Rodrigo. The aforementioned daily suggests that the Gunners want the Brazilian in order to replace in-form frontman Robin Van Persie. The Daily Mirror also echoes similar sentiments, but also goes on to add the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City to the list of suitors.
Van Persie will enter the last year of his contract in the summer and has not shown any signs of extending his deal. Arsenal are expected to begin negotiations with the player at the end of the season and remain confident that he will extend his current contract. However, with giants such as Real Madrid and Barcelona keen on Van Persie, he might just think about moving to a club that is more capable of winning silverware, especially after Arsenal’s lacklustre league campaign this season.
The Gunners though are already preparing for his exit and seem to have learned their lesson after the high profile exits of the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Rodrigo is just 20-years of age and not only has great potential but also falls in line with Arsene Wenger’s policy of buying young. He also has some Premier League experience having made 20 appearances for Bolton in a loan stint in the 2010-11 season and that will make him a more attractive prospect for the Gunners.
The Brazilian has also found the back of the net on a regular basis this term, having scored 14 goals in 21 appearances for Benfica and should Van Persie make an exit, then Arsenal could be persuaded to match the reported £18m release clause in order to soften the blow.
In recent times, Arsenal fans have been concerned with the investment being made by Wenger in terms of new marquee signings. Taking that into account, a possible downside to this deal will be that Rodrigo’s arrival may not be able to calm those nerves, especially with calls of an experienced, top quality signing getting louder. Still, Wenger is known to be very astute with his signings and Rodrigo may just end up making a huge impact on his arrival.
(TheSportsCampus)
