The Gunners are keeping tabs on Southampton’s Rodriguez.
Southampton ace Jay Rodriguez has been a transfer target for Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in the past, but now Arsenal have entered the race to sign the forward, according to the Daily Star.
The 24-year-old has greatly impressed this season and even earned his first cap for the England national team as a result of his performances.
However, there was great disappointment for Rodriguez at the weekend when the Saints ace suffered a anterior cruciate ligament injury during the Premier League tie with Manchester City.
The issue will keep the Englishman out of action for around six months and of course rules him out of the 2014 World Cup and perhaps affects any potential clubs’ interest.
This is not the case for the Gunners though, who are prepared to sign Rodriguez despite the fact the attacker is likely to miss the first two months of next term.
The Saints meanwhile are understandably keen to keep hold of their star player and as such are preparing to offer him a five-year contract and end any speculation surrounding his future at St Mary’s.
Rodriguez had been in great form this campaign up until Saturday’s injury, scoring 17 goals in 39 appearances – despite operating from the left wing – and is the second highest scoring English player in the league behind Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.
If Arsene Wenger were to lead his north London side to Champions League qualification again this year then it would make a move to the Emirates Stadium all the more appealing, although after losing to Everton on Sunday that is by no means a certainty.
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