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Arsenal to push hard for £69m Guido Rodríguez summer transfer

By Ross Kennerley

SEVILLE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 04: Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis looks on during the Copa del Rey Quarter-Final match between Real Betis and Athletic Club at Estadio Benito Villamarin on February 04, 2021 in Seville, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 04: Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis looks on during the Copa del Rey Quarter-Final match between Real Betis and Athletic Club at Estadio Benito Villamarin on February 04, 2021 in Seville, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal to push hard for £69m Guido Rodríguez summer transfer as Real Betis aim to raise money from player sales. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Watching Granit Xhaka trudge his way through another start for Arsenal in the 3-3 draw with West Ham, nothing new came to light, and instead just further solidified the need for midfield reinforcements in the summer.

The Swiss captain had a poor outing and couldn’t deal with Tomas Soucek running beyond him, particularly in the opening 35 minutes. Tracking the runs showed that physical and mental fatigue had set in, something that he can’t be begrudged for having been heavily overused since the turn of the year.

It’s been some of Granit Xhaka’s best form in an Arsenal shirt, but just like Kieran Tierney alongside him, the volume of minutes is taking its toll and the demands of being the only player who can play that position – and have a left foot – forces Mikel Arteta’s hand.

Thus, that area of the pitch is in need of bolstering, whether for cover or as direct competition – a decision that tends to split opinion.

https://twitter.com/RealBetis_en/status/1373051407482245122

Arsenal to push hard for £69m Guido Rodríguez summer transfer as Real Betis aim to raise money from player sales

Taking a glance over at La Liga, Arteta and Edu have earmarked one candidate they’d like to see brought in during the summer: Real Betis’ Guido Rodriguez. He wouldn’t be a direct replacement for Xhaka considering he’s right footed and plays on the right side of a double pivot, but he’s nonetheless being eyed up.

A name unfamiliar to most, the Argentine only moved to Seville-based club last summer from América in the Mexican Liga MX but has been a mainstay at the base of midfield under Manuel Pellegrini.

Real Betis are battling for a European berth this season, sitting in sixth place and behind Real Sociedad in fifth on goal difference only. Rodriguez has netted twice this term, once in La Liga and once in the Copa del Rey.

Only signed for €3m, impressive displays in the engine room have seen his price tag sky rocket. Tied down until June 2024, he now has a termination clause that exceeds €80m (£69m/$95m), which Arsenal are said to be looking at intently, according to Mundo Deportivo.

They claim Arsenal will ‘push hard’ this summer, with scouts having watched the 26-year-old closely for months. And, due to Betis’ circumstances, they may be in luck.

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