Arsenal are sensationally linked with Real Madrid’s exiled attacking midfielder James Rodriguez for a reported price of £50 million this summer. The Columbian is undoubtedly one of the best playmakers in Europe at the moment and continuous neglect from manager Zinedine Zidane has led many to think he could be leaving Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
And the fact that Real Madrid managed to win the La Liga as well as the Champions League without any significant contribution from the player also exerts the fact that the 25-year-old is redundant in Zidane’s tactics and the Real legend doesn’t see him in his plans anymore. While this has surely put many top clubs on red alert, Arsenal just have to be the one to win the race.
Against numerous outbursts and ‘Wenger Out’ chants, which were not limited to the ground, Arsenal board decided to keep Arsene Wenger in charge by offering him a two-year contract at the end of the season. It was followed by a number of promises and pep talks of lifting the club to higher levels and Arsenal’s summer movements have shown promises for sure.
With the signature of full-back, Sead Kolasinac already secured, Arsenal’s next signing will definitely have to make a statement. And James Rodriguez coming in Emirates could do exactly that. One of the biggest problems for Arsenal this season was their bench. Certain positions like that of Mesut Ozil’s and Hector Bellerin’s were irreplaceable as Wenger had no quality options.
Although Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain did deputise for Bellerin, at the end, Ozil has enjoyed a rather free run up front, irrespective of his form. And Rodriguez’s addition will be primarily to give him the required competition.
The attacking midfielder has managed just 33 appearances for Real in all competitions, which was affected by repeated injuries, but he has still managed to score 11 goals and assist 13 times. One of the star signings following the 2014 World Cup, Rodriguez has been one of their star players for the past four years, scoring 36 goals and assisting 41 times in over 100 games.
An academy product of Colombian side Envigado FC, Rodriguez made a move to Argentine side Club Atlético Banfield in 2008. His meteoric rise was spotted by FC Porto quite early and the Portuguese giants signed him in 2010. His first big move came in 2013 to AS Monaco, where he was a huge hit and the next year was a career defining one.
With the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Granit Xhaka and more alongside him, Rodriguez would get the much-needed liberty he missed at Real. And Arsenal could see themselves turn into a star-studded side yet again with this signature.
