Arsenal Transfer News: Is Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez Latest Target?

Arsenal has yet to make a major splash in the transfer market to address its need at striker and on the back four.

However, the Gunners’ push for more goal scoring before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month might come via Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez, who reportedly is a target of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Mundo Deportivo is reporting Arsenal leads the way in the pursuit of Rodriguez, who joined the Spanish giants shortly after the 2014 FIFA World Cup for a fee of about €80 million.

Rodriguez scored 17 goals in 46 games during all competitions in his debut campaign for Madrid in 2014-15, but he tallied just eight goals in 32 games last season. He’s much more than a goal scorer, though, as his passing is excellent and he has decent pace.

Why would Real Madrid give up on a world-class talent such as Rodriguez? Well, it appears Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane favors Isco in the midfield. Isco also was chosen over Rodriguez for Madrid’s starting XI in last season’s Champions League Final.

For what it’s worth, the 25-year-old Colombian’s brother-in-law is Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.

Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images