Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez is reportedly flattered by Arsenal’s persistent interest in him.
According to Marca, Arsenal have pursued Rodriguez for a while and the midfielder would be keen to join them if they make a concrete offer this summer.
The report claims that Everton and Wolves are also among the interested Premier League clubs.
Read Arsenal Verdict
Arsenal should only make a move for Rodriguez if they are able to offload Mesut Ozil this summer.
Ozil, now 31, has struggled this season, managing just one goal and three assists in all competitions for the club. Rodriguez could now be brought in to replace the German, but that may only work if they can find a club willing to buy him.
Rodriguez is 28 and should be in the peak years of his career, whilst Ozil is now into his 30’s and seemingly regressing, as shown by his poor goal return this season. Rodriguez managed 14 goals and 14 assists in the Bundesliga during a two-year loan spell with Bayern, proving that he can still make an impact in games at the elite level on a regular basis.
Ozil, meanwhile, in the last two seasons has scored six and assisted four in the Premier League for the Gunners. Rodriguez scored over twice as many goals and had triple as many assists as Ozil during his spell with Bayern. He could be a big upgrade on the German,. Ozil’s assist numbers in the Premier League have gone down in four of the last five seasons, whilst this term he has matched his total for the 2018/19 campaign – two.
