Arsenal will try to sign 26-year-old midfielder Guido Rodriguez from Real Betis this summer, according to reports in Spain.

Mundo Deportivo report that Arsenal are closely monitoring Guido Rodriguez ahead of the summer transfer window, and they intend to push hard for his signature.

The Gunners have reportedly sent scouts to watch Rodriguez for months now, and Real Betis may be pushed to cash in on one or two of their high-value players this summer to balance their books.

There are a few complications in negotiating a transfer, however. For a start, Rodriguez has a deal lasting until 2024 and a release clause of €80m. There’s no easy way for Arsenal to sign him in a cut-price deal.

On top of that, Real Betis only own 75% of Rodriguez’s rights, so Arsenal would be negotiating with multiple parties.

The Argentina international moved to Spain in January 2020, and he’s quickly become a key part of his new team under Manuel Pellegrini. The defensive midfielder has made 28 appearances this season, helping his club up to sixth in La Liga.

Rodriguez is at his best on the defensive end, with WhoScored listing tackling, blocking, interceptions, and concentration among his key strengths.

He also has a strong take-on success rate, so he could work well as the deepest midfielder, winning the ball and escaping pressure.

Mundo Deportivo suggest Rodriguez could be a replacement for Thomas Partey, after Partey’s injury struggles this season, but it’s a bit soon for that. If Arsenal really are looking at Rodriguez, it’s more likely to be to play alongside Partey.