Arsenal Join In January Battle For Real Madrid Star James Rodriguez
Arsenal are reportedly ready to do battle with fellow Premier League title chasers Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez in January.
Arsenal are reportedly ready to do battle with fellow Premier League title chasers Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez in January.
The Columbia international has been persistently linked with a move away from Champions League winners Real Madrid as he has struggled for game time under manager Zinedin Zidane and now, according to the Mirror, the Gunners are ready to throw their hat in the ring for unsettled star.
Having previously stated that Real is his dream club and that he wants to fight for his place, this position might change as the 25-year-old has only featured for 34 minutes so far this season.
With Premier League clubs now lining up to court the Columbian during the January transfer window, Rodriguez may well be tempted to seek a move to the Premier League.
While Arsenal continue to be linked to Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and also a potential ‘hail mary’ bid for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, a move for Rodriguez might well be seen as a strong alternative option should either Lacazette or Griezmann deals fail to get off the ground.
However, the Gunners may face stiff competition from United as it was José Mourinho who brought Rodriguez to Madrid when he was manager and is reported to be interested in bringing him to Old Trafford. Furthermore, the attacking midfielder himself has apparently indicated that United is his preferred destination, should a Premier League move materialise.
Arsenal have strengthened over the summer, with the arrival of Lucas Perez and the return from international duties of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud. Additionally, the expected return of Aaron Ramsey in the coming weeks and the fine form of Alex Iwobi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, all amount to a midfield roster that is already chock full of potential match day players.
Where Rodriguez might fit into this scrum for starting places is anyone’s guess and you might ask whether Wenger even needs him at all.
As clubs and fans catch their breath from the recently closed summer transfer window and with the Premier League and Champions League to focus on, January transfer dealings are still a long way off.
Nobody knows what will happen between now and then but come Christmas, with Wenger’s new found willingness to spend, perhaps the arrival of Rodriguez to the Emirates might not be such a long shot after all.