Arsenal are reportedly ready to make a late dip into the transfer market with a move for AC Milan defender Ricardo Rodriguez to solve a sudden injury crisis
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are considering a very late move for AC Milan defender Ricardo Rodriguez to solve an unexpected injury crisis that has come to hit the Gunners. With only three days left until the transfer window closes, the Gunners need to act quickly if they are serious about their pursuit of the Swiss international.
Arsenal are seemingly in a mini injury crisis before their season opener against Manchester City as both their left-backs remain unavailable. Sead Kolasinac was believed to be new boss Unai Emery’s preferred choice in the position for the season. But, a knee injury against Chelsea has ruled him out for the next two months.
The next in line to replace Kolasinac is Nacho Monreal, who returned to the club with a knock and did not feature in any of Arsenal’s pre-season games. While he is yet to recover, Emery has confirmed there is no chance for the Spaniard to feature against Manchester City for the Gunners’ season opener,
Emery does have another player who can cover for both their injured left-backs in Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who played many games in that position under Arsene Wenger last season. But, in the long run, the Arsenal boss is looking for a player who can be part of their long-term future as a natural left-back, with Nacho Monreal on the wrong end of 30.
Having been forced into the market for a left-back, Arsenal have reportedly shortlisted Ricardo Rodriguez as their preferred player to bolster the left-back spot. Rodriguez, who has previously interested the North Londoners among other clubs, joined AC Milan last summer from Wolfsburg.
Despite only signing the left-back last summer, AC Milan could allow the Swiss defender to leave, if Arsenal stump up £30 million for him. Milan are a club who could make do with the cash and also re-invest some of the money into a replacement, as they do not have to adhere to an early transfer deadline as is the case for English clubs.
If Rodriguez is to arrive, Arsenal would have a readymade replacement for the ageing Monreal, while also providing stiff competition to Sead Kolasinac. The Swiss could add further depth to the squad, a move that could allow Monreal to be used an additional centre-back, a position the Spaniard has excelled in before.
But alternatively, considering Arsenal’s shortage of transfer funds, £30 million would be too much to spend for a player who Arsenal are only eyeing as an emergency option. That said, Emery could well stick with and groom Maitland-Niles further in the left-back slot, and it remains to be seen how things pan out in the coming days.
