Arsenal have been told they must trigger the release clause for Ricardo Rodriguez by July 1 which is seven days ways, if they are interested in signing him to the Emirates, according to reports in the Metro.
The North London club have already completed the signing of highly-rated Swiss international Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach, which could see the likes of Francis Coquelin and Mohamed Elneny out of the Gunners first team next season.
The Gunners have been keen on bringing the 23-year-old Swiss international, who currently, is at the European Championship representing Switzerland, but they now face a race against time if they really want the defender’s deal done.
Both Rodriguez and Wolfsburg team-mate Luiz Gustavo have been told that the club will not negotiate cheaper fees should interested clubs fail to trigger their respective release clauses by the end of June.
In addition, Klaus Allofs, Wolfsburg sporting director has insisted the duo’s prices will inflate after that time despite Rodriguez being keen to leave the German outfits.
The Swiss international has €25 million release clause in his contract at Wolfsburg and the youngster is widely expected to leave the Bundesliga side this summer.
“We are on the alert and we are prepared,” the Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs told Kicker via the Metro. “They will not get cheaper, rather the opposite.”
Allofs repeated that Rodriguez already had made his intentions clear about leaving the club, but warned him that the club will not automatically be open to a sale. He added:
“There is enough time to come to a decision during that period,” Allofs said. “We’d need to internally discuss a transfer at a later date.”
Personally, I think Rodriguez’s dazzling footwork and experience will really help the Gunners if Wenger can lure him to the Emirates Stadium.
In addition, his partnership with Laurent Koscielny might undeniably be a perfect one and this could see the Gunners having the best defence next season and also a better chance to win the Premier League title.
Rodriguez to Arsenal might finally see Kieran Gibbs leaving the club this summer. Gibbs didn’t get much game time last season and if this move he might be open to a move elsewhere to get more playing time.
The Swiss international netted 20 goals in all appearances for Wolfsburg and is a player who will not only help the Gunners in terms of defence but, will also contribute greatly in the attack.
