Arsenal are reportedly facing stiff competition from Liverpool in the race to sign Argentine international Guido Rodriguez from Real Betis.
According to a report by Estadio Deportivo, Arsenal are not the only Premier League club in pursuit of Guido Rodriguez ahead of the summer transfer window. The Gunners have now been joined by rivals Liverpool for the Argentine international, who has a release clause worth €80 million in his Real Betis contract.
Guido Rodriguez has become a key figure for Real Betis since arriving from Club America in the winter transfer window of 2020. This season, he has played a key role in giving Los Verdiblancos the hope of possibly qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, featuring 28 times in all competitions.
His exploits at the Benito Villamarin Stadium have surely not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal being hot in pursuit of the 26-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window. The Gunners have now been joined by Liverpool in the race to sign the Argentine international.
Liverpool are reportedly in the market for a midfielder owing to the uncertain future of Georginio Wijnaldum, who is expected to depart Anfield as a free agent come summer. To that end, there are a number of midfielders who have been linked with the Reds, with Guido Rodriguez the latest on their radar.
Rodriguez, though, would be more of a competition for Fabinho than a direct replacement for Wijnaldum, although Liverpool could do with a holding midfielder as well to free up captain Jordan Henderson. Arsenal, on the other hand, do have the need of a player of Rodriguez’s qualities, seeing as Mohamed Elneny is only a bit-part player.
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Rodriguez could be a direct competitor for Granit Xhaka while also potentially taking the place of Dani Ceballos in Mikel Arteta’s squad if the Spaniard does not join Arsenal permanently. Arsenal and Liverpool, though, could face a potential stumbling block in pursuit of Rodriguez, whose release clause is worth €80 million.
The conditions of the market, coupled with the two clubs’ own financial constraints, might prohibit both Arsenal and Liverpool from shelling out such a sum to sign the Argentine international. Having said that, it remains to be seen if they can negotiate a lower transfer fee for Rodriguez, though it is suggested that Real Betis are eager to keep hold of the 26-year-old.
