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Arsene Wenger ‘approves’ move to sign £51m world class attacker

By on August 24, 2016

According to Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal are in pole position to sign James Rodriguez after Arsene Wenger gave his approval to a move that could cost us £51m this summer.

The general consensus is that Wenger is looking to bring in a centre-back and striker before the transfer window closes next week but we’ve struggled to get deals agreed for our key targets.

Our striker search in particular appears to have hit a dead end and it’s led to speculation that the boss may change tact and target an attacking midfielder instead and push Alexis Sanchez in to a more central role at times this season.

If that’s the case, then Mundo Deportivo’s report would make a lot of sense as they claim that Arsenal are now in pole position to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid after Wenger ‘approved’ the move.

The Spanish outlet suggest that the likes of Liverpool, AC Milan and PSG have all shown an interest in Rodriguez but Madrid don’t believe Liverpool or Milan can afford their £51m asking price, while the player has no interest in moving to France.

Mundo Deportivo claim that Chelsea are also in negotiations with Madrid, but any potential deal with the west Londoners is complicated by the Spaniard’s interest in Eden Hazard.

Therefore, the report suggests that Arsenal are in pole position after Wenger supposedly gave the green light to signing the Colombian international with our offer understood to have come closest to Madrid’s £51m valuation.

It’s difficult to know how much truth there is behind this report but the speculation surrounding Rodriguez is intensifying and Arsenal seem to be right in the thick of it all.

He isn’t the goal poacher we desperately need but he would still be an exciting signing if we could pull it off as he’s a world class talent and I could see him flourishing at Arsenal alongside the likes of Ozil and Sanchez.

Rodriguez has fallen out-of-favour at Madrid and while Zidane has indicated he’d like to keep hold of him, the fact he’s left him on the bench for their first two games speaks volumes – especially since Ronaldo hasn’t even been available.

MORE: Arsenal’s move for £20m defender thwarted by Mourinho

The Mundo Deportivo article says that Madrid president Florentino Perez wants Rodriguez’s wages off their books and is so keen to cash-in, that he’s lowered his asking price to £51m so it certainly seems like there’s a deal to be done.

Rodriguez needs a fresh start and at 25, he still has his best years ahead of him so I’d love to see him come to Arsenal. If we can’t land a top class striker, then signing Rodriguez is the next best thing….