Arsenal ‘intend to negotiate’ a deal with Real Betis this summer for midfielder Guido Rodríguez.
That’s according to La Razón, who say the Gunners have no intention of paying the player’s €80m release clause.
Rodríguez has established himself as one of the stars at Betis over the last year, and this has earned him plenty of attention, particularly from Arsenal.
They’ve been linked for several months, with the last report last month stating they were the club showing the most interest in the midfielder and that a €50m bid had even been made.
There’s been nothing on the subject since then, but La Razón pick up the mantle today, stating that Arsenal are on the hunt for a new midfielder as Thomas Partey has ‘failed to live up to expectations’.
They’ve been ‘tracking’ Rodríguez ‘for some time’ but want to negotiate a deal with Real Betis rather than paying his €80m release clause.
Their ideal price isn’t mentioned, but it’s made clear that the Andalusian club, for their part, ‘would be happy’ to do a deal at €30m.
That’s not an insurmountable figure by any means for Arsenal; it’s certainly more palatable than €80m, so expect more on Rodríguez as the transfer window starts warming up.