If reports from various sections of the media are anything to go by, Arsenal will be going for the kill when this summer’s transfer window opens for business. Arsene Wenger has been linked with the Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez since last summer but the latest development in the story is that the player has handed in a transfer request at the Camp Nou.
Whilst earlier reports claimed that the newly-crowned La Liga champions will be looking to do business for around £10.8million for the Spanish international, the Daily Telegraph suggest that the player has been offered to Arsenal for a cut-price £7 million, with a view to sell him as soon as the transfer window opens, giving them ample time to find a suitable replacement.
For me, Pedro’s resume says it all. The Catalan star comes with five La Liga titles, two Champions League titles and a World Cup in his list of accolades. While it may seem quite a while back that he was part of the attacking trio (with Messi and Villa) that dominated world football, he is still only 27 and in the prime of his career. In my opinion, if these reports are indeed true, it’s a no-brainer, Le Prof must go in for him.
For quite a while now, media reports linking Arsenal with a move for a big-name player could have been easily rubbished, but with the North London side now beginning to demonstrate financial firepower and go in for established players, you certainly may want to give it a second thought. While any potential deal may be far from agreed, it may not be much of a surprise if Wenger brings Pedro Rodriguez to the Emirates, thus reuniting him with Alexis.
Another important factor to consider is that Arsenal are beginning to build a little bit of a Spanish contingent, including club captain Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin, along with many other Spanish-speaking players and Pedro might well be the latest addition to this list.
Anurag
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